THE ANNALS THE WORLD

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1890. Among those who entertained Alexander in this city were the Chaldeans. They talked with him concerning the course and motions of the stars and sudden change of events. (Curt. l. 5. c. 3.) The Chaldeans gave Callisthenes one of Alexander's followers, the observations of the heavenly bodies for 1903 years of time. He gave them to Aristotle in Greece. This I mentioned in note on 1771 AM <49>. This information came from Porphyrie.

1891. Alexander consulted with the Chaldeans. He followed their advice and sacrificed to Belus. He did whatever they asked of him concerning temple repairs. Alexander commanded the Babylonians to repair the temples which Xerxes had previously demolished and in particular, the temple of Belus, that was located in the heart of the city. He ordered that all the rubbish be immediately carried out of the temple. (Arrian. l. 3. p. 63. & l. 7. p. 159.) This work was so great that it took 10,000 men two months to clear the place where the temple stood. (Strabo. l. 16. p. 738.) When Alexander commanded all his army to help to carry away the rubbish, only the Jews refused to help in that work. Hecataeus of Abdera, who was then with Alexander, stated that they endured many a blow and many other grievous inconveniences. When Alexander heard their reasons for refusing, he exempted them from the task. (Josephus cont. Apion. l. 1. p. 1049.)

 1892. Alexander marvelled most at that hole in the earth in Ecbatana or rather in Batana, as other copies have it. (Batana, which is a city placed by Stephanus Byzantinus near the Euphrates and not Ecbatana, the city of Media is meant here.) Flames of fire continually shot forth as from a fountain and an active spring of Naphta shot out fire not far from that hole. Plutarch, (in his life) describes these effects in more detail.

1893. Alexander, ordered Bagophanes, who had surrendered the citadel of Babylon, to follow him. He committed the keeping of the citadel to Agathon, from the town of Pydna along with 700 Macedonians and 300 mercenaries. He made Mazaeus, who surrendered the city to him, governor of all the province of Babylon. He appointed Apollodorus from Amphipolis and Menetes from Pella in Macedonia, to be commanders of that militia in Babylon and all the other countries west as far as Cilicia. For that purpose he left with them, 2000 soldiers with 1000 talents of silver to hire mercenaries. He appointed Asclepiodortus, the son of Philotas, to collect his tribute in those parts. He sent Mithrines, who surrendered the city Sardis to him, to be governor in Armenia. (Diodor. Arria. Curtius.)

1894. From the money which he found in Babylon, he gave to every Macedonian cavalry man, 6 pounds, to every foreign cavalry man 5 pounds, to every Macedonian foot soldier, 2 pounds and to every foreign foot soldier 2 month's pay. (Diod. Sic. year 2. Olymp. 112.) An Attic ounce or pound contained 100 drachmas. Curtius confounded this with the Roman denarius and said that he gave to every Macedonian cavalry man 600 denarii and to every foreign cavalry man 500 and to every foot soldier 200. (Curt. l. 5. c. 6.)

1895. Alexander was on his way from Babylon when Amyntas the son of Andromenes, came to him with a number of men sent to him by Antipater the governor of Macedon. From Macedon came 500 cavalry and 6000 foot soldiers, from Thrace, 600 cavalry and 3500 foot soldiers, from Peloponesus, 4000 foot soldiers and 380 cavalry. This is according to Curtius but Diodorus has a little less than 1000 cavalry. With them went the sons of 50 of the principal nobles of Macedon to be Alexander's body guards. (Diod. & Curt.)

1896. When Alexander had received these troops, he continued on his journey. After marching 6 days, he came into a country called Sitacine, but Curtius calls it Satrapene. This country abounded with provisions and he stayed there many days. He held contests to test every man's prowess and dexterity in the feats of chivalry. He gave the 8 best men command of 1000 troops. He then divided his whole army into so many brigades. Before this, they were organised into companies of 500 and their captains were not chosen by contests of skills. Before, the cavalry of every nation served together apart from other nations. Now he made no difference based on nationality. He appointed as commanders, those who were most skilled in the war no matter what country they were from. He reformed the martial discipline of his army in many points. As a result, all the troops liked him better than ever and were more ready to serve him. He continued his journey. (Diod. & Curt. l. 5. c. 6.)

1897. As Alexander approached Susa, he was met by the son of the governor of Susa, with letters from Philoxenus. Alexander had sent him away immediately after the battle at Arbela to Susa. The letters said that the inhabitants of Susa had surrendered their city and all the treasure there was kept safely for him. (Arrian. l. 3.) The son of Abulites, the governor of the city, told him the same message. He did this either voluntarily or according to some, by the orders of Darius so Alexander would be detained there longer. This would give Darius more time to raise a new army against Alexander. (Diod. and Curt. l. 5. c. 7.)

1898. The king entertained the young man with much grace and favour. He used him for his guide to the Idaspes or Choaspes River. This river is a narrow and violent stream. Abulites met Alexander and gave him costly gifts which included some dromedaries which are camels that run very fast and 12 elephants which Darius had sent for from India. (Curt. l. 5. c. 7.)

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 1899. The day after he left Babylon, he came to Susa. After he entered the city, he received 50,000 talents of silver with all of the king's wardrobe and other belongings. (Arrian. l. 3.) Curtius states he received much more silver in bars. Diodorus calculates upward to 400,000 talents of silver and gold in bars and ingots and 9000 talents minted into darics. Plutarch mentions 40,000 talents in coins and 5000 talents worth of Hermionic scarlet. This had been stored there 190 years earlier and looked as fresh as it did the first day it was put there.

1900. Alexander offered sacrifice according to the Macedonian manner by torch light and held gymnastic sports and exercises. (Arrian.) He sat down on the royal throne of Persia which was far higher than for the size of his body to sit on. His feet could not reach to the step by which he mounted the throne. One of the pages took the table that Darius used to eat his meals from and put it under him for a footstool. When Philotas saw this, he persuaded Alexander to take it as a sign of good luck. (Diod. & Curt. l. 5. c. 7.)

1901. The robes and other purple clothes which were sent to Alexander from Macedon with those which made them, he sent to Darius' mother Sysigambes, whom he highly respected and honoured as a son should do to his mother. With the gift he added the message that if she liked those clothes, she would do well to let her young nieces learn to make them. When he knew that she was quite troubled, he personally went to her and excused himself for his ignorance of the Persian manners and comforted her again. (Curt. l. 5. c. 8.) So he left her and Darius' two young daughters and his little son Ochus at Susa. He left some to instruct her and them in the Macedonian language. (Diod.)

1902. He continued on to the farthest borders of Persia and left Archelaus with a garrison of 3000 soldiers to keep the city. He appointed Xenophilus to hold the citadel and Callicrates to gather his tributes. He committed the civil government of the province of Susa to Abulites, who had surrendered the city to him. (Curt. l. 5. c. 8.) He sent back Menetes to the sea coast and made him governor of Phoenicia, Syria and Cilicia. (Arrian. l. 3.)

1903. After a 4 day march, Alexander came to the Pasitigris River and crossed it with 9000 foot soldiers and 3 or 4000 cavalry. He went into the country of the Uxians which bordered on the province of Susa. It extended into the main part of Persia between which there is a narrow pass. Madates, the governor of this country, had married Sysigambes' niece.

1904. Alexander gave Tauron 1500 mercenaries and 1000 Agrians and ordered him to march as soon as it was dark. He was to follow his guides in the secret passes that they would show him. He was to advance as far as to the city which Alexander planned to besiege. Alexander took with him the captains of his troops, his targeteers and some 8000 other soldiers. They marched in the third watch of the same night and by day break came to those passes, which opened into the Uxian's country. When he had gone through them, he came and besieged the city. When the Uxians saw they were besieged on all sides, they sent from the citadel there 30 men to ask for his pardon but he would not give it. Finally, when he received letters from Sysiagambes, he did not only pardon her kinsman, Madates but set at liberty all he had taken prisoner who had voluntarily submitted to him. He left the city untouched and all their land free from tribute. (Curt. l. 5. c. 9.) Arrian reports from Ptolemy Lagus, that through Sysigambes' request, he left them their lands to till but levied a yearly tribute on them of 100 horses, 500 beasts of burden and 3000 sheep. This whole account is related differently by Diodorus, Curtius and Arrian.

1905. When Alexander had subdued the country of the Uxians, he added it to the province of Susa. He divided all his forces between himself and Parmenion. He ordered that the luggage, the Thessalian cavalry, confederates, foreign mercenaries and the heavily armed soldiers to go with Parmenion through the plain country. He took the Macedonian foot soldiers and the cavalry of his confederates. He sent before them the light cavalry with the squadron of Agrians and archers to reconnoitre. They went by the way of the mountains which run all along in a ridge as far as Persia. (Curt. l. 5. c. 10. Arrian. l. 3.)

1906. On the fifth day after this, (according to Diodorus and Curtius) he came to the passes of Persia, called the Susian Pyles, or Gates. Diodorus states that Ariobarzanes, the Persian, held these with 25,000 foot soldiers and 300 cavalry. Arranius states that he had about 4000 foot soldiers and 700 cavalry. He repulsed Alexander's attack and made him retreat about 4 miles from that pass. At last he captured a shepherd who was born of a Persian mother but begotten by a father born in Lycia. He guided Alexander through narrow and craggy bypaths and over certain snowy mountains. Alexander routed the enemy and took control of the pass. Ariobarzanes with some 40 cavalry and 5000 foot soldiers broke through the army of the Macedonians. There was a great slaughter on both sides. Ariobarzanes hurried to get into Persepolis which was the capital city of that kingdom. He was unable to reach it and the enemy was at his very heels. Ariobarzanes attacked them and in the second battle his forces were cut to pieces by Alexander. This is more fully related in (Diodor. Curtius, Arria. Plutarch, and Polyanus, l. 4. Stratag.)

1907. As Alexander was marching toward Persepolis, he received letters from Tiridates, Darius' treasurer in that place. He told Alexander that when the inhabitants of Persepolis heard of his coming, they were ready to take the king's treasure and share it among themselves. He desired Alexander to come quickly to prevent this. Alexander left his foot soldiers to come later and travelled all night with his cavalry. Although they were already tired with so long a journey, they came by day break to the Araxes River. After they made a bridge, they crossed over it with his army. (Diodor. and Curt. l. 5. c. 11.)

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 1908. When he came within a quarter mile of the city, about some 800 (for so Diodorus, Justinus and Suidas, in the word Alexander, report, not 4000 as Curtius) poor Greek slaves led by Euctemon of Cuma in Eolia, came out as humble suppliants to meet him. These were the ones whom the former kings of Persia had taken in the wars and made slaves. They were cruelly treated. Some had their feet, hands, ears or noses cut off. They were all branded in the face with letters or other marks. These besought him that as he had done in Greece so he would now promise to deliver them from the slavery of the Persian cruelty. Later, when he offered to send an escort with them into Greece, they desired of him rather to give them lands in that place. They feared that they would not prove a comfort but an abomination to their friends and kinsfolks at home. Alexander approved their request and gave each of them 3000 drachmas. (Curtius writes "denarios" instead of "drachmas") He gave every man and women 5 suits of clothes, 2 yoke of oxen, 500 sheep and 50 bushels of wheat. They could now go to till and sow the land which Alexander had given them. Moreover, he exempted their land from paying any tribute and left some to protect them and to see that no man would harm them. (Diod. & Curtius, l. 5. c. 12. with Justin, l. 11. c. 14.)

1909. The next day, he called all the commanders and captains of his army together. He told them that this city Persepolis, the metropolis of Persia, had always been against the Greeks. Therefore he was resolved to give all its plunder to the soldiers, except for the king's palace. After this there was a huge slaughter of the prisoners whom they had taken. This he avowed as his own act in writing since he thought it to be for his honour that he commanded them as enemies to be so butchered. Plutarch said that he found as much treasure there as at Susa. Diodorus writes that when he came into the citadel, he found 120,000 talents, calculating the value of the gold by the rate of the silver. Curtius agrees. (Curt. l. 5. c. 13.)

1910. When Alexander first sat down on the royal throne under a golden canopy in Persepolis, Demaratus the Corinthian and an old friend of his and his father is reported to have fallen like an old man, weeping. He said that those Greeks missed a great event who died before that day and had not lived to see Alexander sitting on Darius' throne. (Plut. in Alexan.)

1911. Alexander committed the keeping of the citadel of Persepolis to Nicarthides with a garrison of 5000 Macedonians. Tiridates, who delivered the treasure to Alexander held the same position which he had under Darius. He left there a great part of his army and baggage and committed the keeping of the city to Parmenion and Craterus. Alexander with a 1000 cavalry and lightly armed foot soldiers went to visit the inner parts of Persia when the constellation Pleiades arose. (beginning of the fall) Although he was plagued with storms and other tempestuous weather on the way, he came to a place all covered with snow and frozen over with ice. When he saw that his soldiers did not want to go any farther, he leaped off his horse and went by foot over the ice and snow. When the country people, who lived in scattered cretes and cabins saw the enemy troops, they started killing their children and others who were not able to go with them. They all fled to the wild woods and mountains covered with snow. However, some of them were convinced to talk with Alexander. They were not afraid and submitted to him. Alexander did not allow any of his troops to harm them. (Curt. l. 5. c. 14.)

3674b AM, 4384 JP, 330 BC

1912. After Alexander had laid waste to all the country of Persia and taken its various towns, he came into the country of the Mardi. This was a warlike nation and of much different behaviour from the Persians. After Alexander had subdued them, he returned to Persepolis on the 30th day after he set out from there. He bestowed rewards on his captains and others, every man according to his deeds. He gave away almost everything he had gotten there. (Curt. l. 5. c. 14.)

1913. This journey was taken, as I said before, about the time of the rising of the seven stars. Only Curtius notes this. Plutarch states that because the winter was now approaching he planned to give his army some rest. Therefore, he spent 4 months in Persia. Pliny (l. 18. c. 31.) tells us that the Athenians began their winter upon the Ides of November when the seven stars set. However the amount of time from the time of the battle at Gaugamela, shows that Alexander could not come to Persepolis before our December. Others also cast a doubt concerning the Mardi expedition. Curtius tells us that he did not subdue them until after the death of Darius. (Curt. l. 6. c. 9.) This may be true unless we distinguish the Mardi of Persia (Herod. l. 1. c. 125 & Nearchus in Strabo l. 11. p. 524. & Arrian. in his Indica, p. 196.) from the Mardi who bordered on Hircania. Neither do other writers agree with Curtius where he says:

``He gave away almost all that he got at Persopolis.''

1914. For he speaks expressly of that and not of what he got at Pasargadis. (as we showed before in the note 3669 AM, from Jacobus Capellus) He well agrees with that which he wrote in the very end of the next precedent chapter (??), where he says that Alexander commanded horses and camels to be sent for from Babylon and Susa to carry those 120,000 talents which he found in this city. This we may compare with Strabo, (l. 15. p. 731.) where he says:

``He carried all the money of Persia from Susa, which was full of treasure and rich goods. It is known for certain that whatever he got in Babylon and in Darius' camp never was included in this total. In Persia and Susa he found 40,000 talents, some say 50,000 talents.''

1915. Diodorus Siculus states:

``When he was forced to lay out much of the money he had found there to pay for the war, he planned to send part of it to Susa to be stored in a bank there. He had to get a multitude of draught horses, carriages and 3000 camels with pack saddles from Babylon and from Mesopotamia to carry his treasure to its destined places.''

1916. Plutarch (in Alexan.) states:

``His money and wealth he took from there needed 10,000 yoke of mules and 5000 camels to carry it away.''

1917. After Darius had stayed a while at Ecbatan in Media, he gathered together those who were left of after the defeat and replaced the weapons they had lost in the battle. He also sent letters to the governors in Bactria and other countries to remain loyal to him. (Diod. Sic. l. 17. 2nd part) His purpose was that if Alexander stayed about Susa and Babylon, he would stay in Media to see whether they who were around him might unite in a new battle against Alexander. However, if he found that Alexander planned to pursue him, then he would retire to Parthia and Hircania, or even into Bactria. By laying waste all the countries as he went, he would leave Alexander no possibility of following him for lack of forage. Therefore he sent away before him all the women and other baggage and carriages to the Caspian Gates, or passes. He stayed at Ecatane with a small force to see how things would unfold. (Arrian. l. 3.)

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 3674c AM, 4384 JP, 330 BC

1918. Alexander made a feast celebrating his previous victories and offered magnificent sacrifices to his gods. He feasted his nobles with a most sumptuous banquet and with a number of whores and curtisans, each with her ruffian. Among these there was an Athenian called Thais who was a sweet heart to Ptolemy the son of Lagus. Alexander was as drunk as she was. He commanded all Persepolis, both city and citadel, to be burnt to the ground and caroling and instruments of music should play all the while. This was against the advice of Parmenion, if Alexander would have listened. It is true that after he slept on it, it grieved him greatly for what he had done. He said:

``The Greeks could not have been more revenged by the Persians, if they had been forced to have seen him sitting in Xerxes' throne. (Curt. l. 5. c. 15. Diod. Plut. Arrian.)

1919. The next day, he gave 30 talents to that shepherd of Lycia who had guided and showed him the way into Persia. (Curt. l. 5. c. 15.)

1920. After this, Alexander took Pasargada. It was a city built by Cyrus and was surrendered to him by its governor, Gobares. He gave Alexander 6000 talents. (Curt. l. 5. c. 13.) Alexander visited the sepulchre of Cyrus according to Strabo's account from Aristobulus who was present at that time. (Strabo. l. 15. p. 730.)

1921. Then he took the rest of the cities of Persia, some by force, others voluntarily surrendered. (Diod.) This seems to have been when the seven stars rose in the morning sky. From this time, the ancients reckoned the beginning of summer, not at the morning setting of them and beginning of winter when according to Curtius, Alexander took his journey into the heart of Persia.

1922. Alexander made Phrasaortes the son of Rheomithris, governor of Persia (Arrian. l. 3.) and then went into Media. He got reinforcements from Cilicia. The 5000 foot soldiers and 1000 cavalry where under the command of Plato, an Athenian. After this he advanced to find Darius. (Curt. l. 5. c. 16.)

1923. Darius had planned to leave Ecbatane and flee into Bactria. Since he feared lest Alexander would overtake him on the way, he changed his plans. At that time, Alexander was about 190 miles away. No distance seemed great enough to prevent Alexander from catching up to him. Therefore Darius resolved that instead of fleeing, to try his fortune in another battle. He had 30,000 men about him, of which 4000 were Greeks under the command of Patran. All these men were loyal to Darius. In addition he had 4000 archers and slingers. He had 3300 cavalry consisting for the most part from Bactria under the command of Bessus the governor of Bactria. (Curt. l. 5. c. 16.)

1924. Diodorus states that there were 30,000 Persians and Greek mercenaries. Arrian states there were only 3000 cavalry and 6000 foot soldiers. He also says that Darius carried with him out of Media no more than 7000 talents. However, Strabo (l. 15. p. 731.) says that when Darius fled out of Media, he took 8000 talents. Those who murdered Darius rifled and shared the money among themselves. Diodorus, (year 4. Olymp. 112.) says, that when Alexander pursued Darius he had the same number of talents with him. Atheneus (l. 11. p. 514. of the Greek and Latin Edition,) states from Chartetes his history of Alexander, that the custom of the Persian kings was, wherever they went, to have over the king's bedchamber, a garret with five chests in it. In these were kept 5000 talents of gold and they were called the king's pillows. At the back stairs in another room, were always kept 3000 talents in three chests and that was called the king's bench to sit on.

1925. Bessus, the governor of Bactria and Nabarzanes the commander of 1000 cavalry both who had followed Darius in his flight, commanded their soldiers to seize Darius and to bind him. They resolved that if Alexander overtook them, they would purchase their freedom by delivering Darius bound into Alexander's hands. However, if they could escape from Alexander, they would renew the war against Alexander in their own names. (Curt. l. 5. c. 18, 22, 23. Arrian. l. 3. p. 67, 68, 76.) Justin (l. 11. c. 15.) states that this happened in a town in Parthia called Thara or rather, Dara. It was so called later by Arsaces, the first king of Parthia, in remembrance of this villany against Darius. He adds from Trogus that this was done by a kind of fate that the Persian empire should end in the land of those who were preordained to succeed the Persians in the empire.

1926. The king's treasure and baggage was rifled, as if it had all been enemies' goods. Bessus and Nabarzanes with Braza (or Barzaentes) the governor of the Arachoti and Drangian took Darius. They carried him away prisoner in a cart. To show some respect, they placed golden chains on him. To escape detection, they covered the cart with a lowly dirty covering made of skins and had strangers drive it. If any man should ask, they could not tell who was in it. Those who were his jailors followed from a distance. The Persians were won over by Bessus' generous promises and since there was no one else left to whom they might unite with, they joined with the Bactrians. Bessus was made general in the place of Darius by the Bactrian cavalry and the other nations who had accompanied Darius in his flight. Artabazus and his sons with those which he commanded and the Greeks under Patron, did not go with Bessus. They left the road way and went up the mountains and marched away to Parthiene. (Curt. l. 5. c. 23. Arrian. l. 4. p. 68.)

1927. Alexander changed his course for Media and attacked the Paritacae, and subdued their country. He made Oxoathres the son of Abuletus governor over them. (Arrian. p. 66.)

1928. Tabas was a town in the remotest border of Paritocene. Alexander was told by some who had abandoned Darius and fled to Alexander that Darius had quickly gone into Bactria. (Curt. l. 5. c. 24.) When he was within 3 days journey of Ecbatane, he was more accurately told by Baistanes the son of Ochus who reigned in Persia before Darius that Darius had fled from Ecbatane 5 days earlier. (Arrian. l. 3.)

1929. When Alexander came to Ecbatane, the Thessalian and others of the confederate cavalry refused to accompany him any further. He dismissed them to return into their own countries. When they left he gave them over and above their regular pay, 2000 talents to be shared among them. (Arrian. l. 3. Plut. in Alexan.) However, Diodorus and Curtius, refer to this event as happening after the death of Darius and in a general way without any special mention of the Thessalian troops. They say that he gave to everyone that served in the cavalry a talent, or 6000 deneers, as Curtius (l. 6. c. 3.) expresses it. Everywhere he calls a "drachma", a "deneere". Diodorus adds that he gave to every foot soldier ten minas i.e. 1000 drachmas and abundant provisions for every man for his return journey to his home country. To everyone that would continue in his service, he gave 3 talents in coined money. When he found that the number of them that stayed was large, he appointed Epocillus to escort the rest to the seaside in Asia. The Thessalians that returned left their horses with him. He wrote to Menetes, the governor in those parts that as soon as they arrived there he should furnish them immediately with shipping and have them transported to the European side. (Arrian. l. 3.)

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 1930. To pay the vast sums he gave to the soldiers that left, Alexander was forced in spite of all his haste in the pursuing Darius, to levy a vast quantity of money in the way as he went. Diodorus states that he received of Darius' treasurers, 8000 talents over and above that which they had bestowed among his soldiers with cups and other rewards. This amounted to over 13,000. The amount they either stole or took by force was calculated to be a great deal more, according to Diodorus. (p. 547. in the Greek and Latin Edition) Curtius (l. 6. c. 2.) agrees fully when he says:

``In the next plundering that he made, he raised 26,000 talents. From which 12,000 (Justin has 13,000. l. 12. c. 1.) talents were spent in one largesse which he bestowed among his soldiers. His treasurers brought (??) him of so much more.''

1931. However, we read in Arrian, (p. 67.) that now he ordered Parmenion to take all the money which was brought to him from Persia and store it in Ecbatane under the keeping of Harpalus. He was to guard it with 6000 Macedonians and some cavalry of his confederates. Now this money was brought and stored in Ecbatane. Some reckon it to have amounted to 180,000 talents. (Strabo, l. 15. p. 731.) Diodorus agrees and says also that Parmenion had the charge of all that treasure. (p. 552.) Justin (l. 12. c. 1.) says, that the treasure amounted to 190,000 talents and that Parmenion was in charge of keeping it. Diodorus and Justin are more correct in making Parmenion the keeper of it than Arrian who names Harpalus to that office. We showed before that he was left behind in Babylon to gather up the tribute and other duties for Alexander in those parts.

1932. Here Arrian tells us that Alexander sent away Parmenion with certain brigades of foreigners, the Thracian cavalry and others except the troops of his own fellow cavaliers. They were to march through the country of the Cadusians into Hircania. He wrote also to Clitus, captain of the king's troops that as soon as Clitus came from Susa to Ecbatane, (for he was left behind sick at Susa) he should take such cavalry as were left there to guard the money and to march into Parthia and to meet him there.

1933. Alexander took with him the troops of his fellow cavaliers, vant (??) couriers, mercenaries led by Erigyius, the Macedonian squadron (except those who were left at Ecbatane to guard the money), the Agrians and the archers and he went after Darius. Since he marched so far so fast, many of his foot soldiers and cavalry were not able to follow. They fainted in the way and perished. However Alexander continued and on the 11th day he came to Rages. (Arrian. l. 3.) In those 11 days, he went over 410 miles. On this long journey, the cavalry followed him very cheerfully although they lacked water in many places. Of that company which set out with him from Ecbatane, there were only 60 with him at the end of his journey. (Plut. in Alex.)

1934. This city of Rages (/APC Tob 1:14 4:1) is a day's journey from the Caspian Gates or passes to anyone that would ride at Alexander's pace. Darius had already passed through them. Many of those who set out with him on his journey slipped away and returned home. Also many of them returned to Alexander on the way. (Arrian. l. 3.)

1935. Alexander gave up all hope of overtaking Darius. He rested there 5 days. When he had refreshed his army, he made Oxydates a Persian, governor of Media, whom formerly Darius had committed to prison in Susa and planned to decapitate him. (Arian. l. 3. with Curt. l. 6. c. 2.)

1936. From here Alexander went with his army into Parthia. The first day he camped near the Caspian Gates or passes. The next day he went through the passes and came into places that were well populated. He ordered provisions to be brought to him, for he was told that he was to go through countries lacking such provisions. He sent Coenus with the cavalry and a few foot soldiers abroad to forage. (Arrian. l. 3.)

1937. Meanwhile Bagisthenes a great man in Babylon, came from Darius' camp to Alexander. He told Alexander that Darius was not yet laid hold on but was in great danger either of death or bonds. (Arian. l. 3. & Curt. l. 5. c. 24.)

1938. Therefore, Alexander pursued him harder and did not wait for Coenus to return from foraging. He took along with him his fellow cavaliers, his vant (??) couriers, the mercenary cavalry led by Erigyius, the Macedonian battalion (except those that were to guard his treasure) with the Agrians and Archers. He left Craterus to command the rest and ordered him to come after him at a more leisurely pace. He travelled all that night and the next day until noon and rested for a while. He travelled all night again and early next morning he came to the camp of Darius from where Bagisthenes had come to him. He continued and rode all that night and the next day until noon. He came to a certain village where they who had the charge of keeping Darius stayed the day before according to Arrian. Curtius states this was the place where Bessus first laid hold on Darius.

1939. When he was about 60 miles from the place where Bagisthenes first came to him, he found Melon who was Darius' interpreter. He was unable through weakness to follow Darius any further. When he saw Alexander approaching so quickly, he made as if he had fled over to Alexander from Darius for fear lest he should be taken for an enemy. He told Alexander what happened and where they went. However his men were quite weary and needed rest. Alexander took 6000 choice cavalry and selected from them 300 Dimachs (??), (who and what they were, you may learn from Pollus and Hesychius) These wore heavy armour yet rode on horse back. If the need arose, they could get off their horses and serve as foot soldiers according to Curtius. However, Arrian (l. 3. c. 68.) states that when he saw the foot soldiers could not possibly keep pace with him on horse back, he made about 500 of the cavalry get off their horses and commanded the captains and best men of the foot soldiers to mount the horses with all their armour on. He ordered Nicanor, who commanded the targeteers and Attalus, the captain of the squadron of Agrians, to follow in the way that Bessus had gone with his men with those who were most lightly armed. He commanded the rest to come later in a phalanx formation.

1940. While Alexander was busy giving orders, Orcillus and Mithracenes came to him. They abhorred Bessus for his treachery and fled from him to Alexander. They told him that the Persians were not more than 60 miles away and that they could lead him to them by a shorter way. He used them as guides and set out early in the evening with a select company of cavalry. He ordered the Macedonian phalanx to follow him as fast as they could. When he had gone about 40 miles, he was met by Brocubelus (called by Arrian p. 67. "Antibelus") the son of Mazeus, sometimes governor of Syria under Darius. He told him that Bessus was not more than 25 miles ahead of him. His army thinking they were out of danger, marched in no particular order. It seemed they were bound for Hircania. Brocubelus said that if he hurried, he might attack them when they were all straggling from their colours. (Curt. l. 5. c. 24.)

1941. When Bessus and his consorts found that Alexander was on their heels, they went to Darius where he was in his poor tilted cart. They wanted him to get onto a horse and save himself by fleeing. When he refused to do this, Satibarzenes and Barsaentes each shot an arrow and wounded him. They also houghed the horses that drew the cart so that they might go no further and killed his two servants that still attended Darius. (Curt. l. 5. c. 25. with Arrian. p. 69. l. 3.) Only his dog stayed with him. (Elia. Histor. animal. l. 6. c. 25.)

1942. When they had done this, Satibarzanes and Barzaentes with 600 cavalry fled away as fast as possible. (Arrian. p. 69.) So that they might not be pursued together, Nabarzanes fled into Hircania and Bessus into Bactria. After the rest had lost their captains, they scattered here and there. Only 500 cavalry stayed together, undecided as to fight or flee, (Curt. l. 5. c. 25.)

1943. When Alexander saw what confusion the enemy was in, he sent Nicanor to ask them to stay. He followed after him. After they had killed about 3000 that would not yield, Alexander drove the rest before him like so many cattle without harming them and gave the word to stop the killing. He advanced so quickly that barely 3000 cavalry followed him. The number of prisoners was greater than of those that captured them. So far had fear bereft them of their senses that they never considered either their number or how few their enemy troops were. (Curt. l. 5. c. 25.)

[Soldier4Christ]

 1944. Meanwhile the horses which drew Darius' cart, wandered from the road since there was no one to drive them. When they had gone about half a mile, they stopped in a certain valley. They were exhausted from the hot weather and sore from the injuries they received. There was a fountain of water close by. Polyustratus a Macedonian learned of this fountain from the people of that place. He was exhausted from the heat and his wounds and went to quench his thirst there. As he was taking up water in his helmet, he noticed the arrows in the bodies of the horses that drew the cart. (Curt. l. 5. c. 25.) When he came nearer, he saw Darius lying in the cart seriously wounded but not quite dead. Darius called to him for a little water. When he drank it, he desired him to thank Alexander for the favour which he had showed to his mother, wife and children. He begged nothing for himself but a decent burial. He desired no revenge as Alexander did. For if Alexander neglected revenge, it might prove both dishonourable and dangerous to him. The first concerned Alexander in a matter of justice, the other concerned his personal safety. Darius in a token of his sincerity gave Polyustratus his right hand and told him to carry it to Alexander. So when Darius had given his hand to Polystratus, he gave up the ghost. (Just. l. 11. c. 15. & Plut. in Alexander.)

1945. So Darius died at age 50 in the year when Aristophontus was archon in Athens in the month Hecatombaeon. (Arrian. l. 3. p. 69.) He had reigned for 6 years. 200 years had passed from the year of the death of Cyrus who set up the Persian Empire until now, which was the very beginning of the 3rd year of the 112th Olympiad. From this time Calippus (a man renowned by Aristotle who was at that time famous in his school at Athens, l. 12. of his Metaphysics,) began his epoch or account of 76 years as we find by various astronomical observations of Ptolemy in his great book, Syntaxis. Although Strabo, (l. 6.) says that Darius lost his empire at the battle of Gaugamela fought 9 months (sic. original has 9 years) earlier and Justin (l. 11.) confirms this that then Alexander took the empire of Asia from Darius. However since it appears that Darius was murdered by his kinsfolk, he lost his life and kingdom at the same time (Justin l. 10 fin.) We can not doubt that Calippus in memorial of the founding of Alexander's Empire made this the starting point of his Periodus or calculation of years.

The Macedonian Empire

3674c AM, 4384 JP, 330 BC

1946. The empire of Alexander lasted 5 years according to Isidore and Beda from Eusebius' Chronicle. Jul. Africa. states 6 years and the historian who wrote in the time of Alexander Severus, 7 years (Tome 2. Antiqu. Lectio. Henr. Canisis, p. 600.) Strabo (l. 15. fin.) allows 10 or 11 years. Nicephorus Constantinopolitanus in his Chronicle, states 12 years. Clemens Alexandrinus, (l. 1. Stromat.) is wrong when he says it was 18 years. It is most obvious that from the month Hecatombaeon when Darius died (when Aristophontes was archon at Athens) to the month Thargelion when Alexander died, as we shall show presently, (when Hegesias was archon in Athens) only 6 years and 10 months passed. In this short period of time, Alexander did so many and great feats of arms in the east that he may well be said to have flown rather than to have marched over all those regions. Hence it is said that in (Da 8:1) Alexander is described under the figure of a goat who came from the west over the face of the whole earth. He never so much as touched the ground. In (Da 7:6) Alexander is compared to a winged leopard. Hierome notes on this passage that of all the beasts, the leopard is the swiftest and most impetuous. He adds that nothing was done so swiftly as his conquest. He took everything from the gulf of Venice and the Adriatic Sea to the very Indian Ocean and the Ganges River. He did this not so much by war but as by his reputation. What he did after the death of Darius, is set down by Diodorus, (l. 17. 2nd part), by Justin, (l. 12.) by Curtius, (5 last books of his History), by Plutarch (in his life) and by Arrian (l. 3.). I have inserted these accounts from the various authors in this work.

1947. Darius was no sooner dead then Alexander rode on his horse to the place where he lay. When he saw his dead body, Alexander wept to see so unworthy a death happen to so noble a person. He took his own coat and placed it over him and immediately sent his body to his mother to be buried in a royal manner with the kings of Persia. He also took Darius' brother Oxathres into the circle of his friends and nobles. He bestowed upon Oxathres all honour belonging to his high place and parentage. Alexander planned to pursue Bessus but since he and his army had escaped to Bactria and Alexander could not reach him at this time, he returned again.

1948. While he remained at Hecatompulis which was a city in Parthiene built in former times by the Greeks, he gathered a good store of provisions. All the army grew restless as they lay idle in their quarters and they all wanted to return to Greece as soon as possible. When Alexander had allayed this desire, they all asked him to lead them wherever he would and they would follow him. After 3 day's march through the country of Parthiene, he came into the borders of Hircania which Nabarzanes had captured. He left Craterus with the troops he commanded, Amyntas' brigade, 600 cavalry and 600 archers. They were to keep Parthiene safe from the incursions by the bordering countries. He commanded Erigyius to take care of the carriages and to follow him through the plain country with a considerable company to guard them. Alexander took his targeteers and the cream of the Macedonian squadron and some archers. When they had marched about 12 miles, they camped in a plain near a small river.

1949. After he had refreshed his army 4 days there, letters came to him from Nabarzanes, who, together with Bessus, had murdered Darius. He surrendered to Alexander. From here Alexander moved 2.5 miles through an almost impassable way. No enemy opposed him and he got through. When he had gone almost another 4 miles, Phradapharnes governor of Hercania and Parthia met him. He surrendered to Alexander along with all those who had fled to him after the death of Darius. Alexander graciously received them all. He next came to a town called Arvas. Here Craterus rejoined him. He had taken in all the countries which he had passed through. He brought with him Phradates or Autophradates, the governor of the country of the Tapurins. Alexander restored him to his government again and sent him back home.

1950. When Alexander came to the nearest borders of Hircania, Artabazus the Persian, who was an old friend of Philip met him. At this time he was banished by Ochus and had always remained most loyal to Darius. He was now 95 years old. He came to Alexander with Cophenes and 8 other sons of his, all born by the same mother who was the sister of Mentor and Memnon. Alexander received them all most graciously. Ariobarzanes and Arsames, who were governors under Darius came and submitted to Alexander.

1951. Alexander now invaded the country of the Mardians which bordered on Hircania. They held the mountain passes and met Alexander with an army of 8000 men. Alexander attacked the army, slew many of them and took more of them prisoners. The rest fled into the craggy mountains. Finally they returned his cavalry man Bucephalus, whom they had captured. They sent 50 ambassadors to him to ask his pardon. When Alexander had taken hostages, he made Autophrodates governor over them as well as the Tapurins.

1952. From there he returned in 5 days to the place from where he set out against the Mardians. From there Andronicus the son of Agerrus and Artabazus brought with them 1500 Greek mercenaries of Darius to Alexander. 90 ambassadors who had been sent to Darius from various counties, also came to him. Alexander put 4 Lacedemonian ambassadors and Dropis the Athenian to prison. Democrates the other Athenian ambassador who always opposed the Macedonian party comitted suicide because he did not expect a pardon from Alexander. He freed the ambassadors from Sinope and Hecraclides who were sent from Carthage and the other ambassadors from Greece. He gave the command of the Greeks who stayed in his service to Andronicus. When he had doubly honoured Artabazus and gave him greater honours than he held under Darius, Alexander sent him home.

1953. When these matters were taken care of, he marched against the greatest city of all Hircania, called Zeudracarta or Zadracarta and there stayed 15 days. Nabarzanes came to him there and brought with him many presents. Among these was Bagoas, an eunuch of rare beauty who was later highly respected and could do whatever he wished with Alexander.

[Soldier4Christ]

 1954. At this place, Thalestris or Minithaea came to Alexander with 300 ladies. She was the queen of the Amazons which is a place between the two rivers, Phasis and Thermodoon. She left the rest of her army at the borders of Hircania and came hoping to be with child by him. She stayed 13 days. Curtius in this account contrary to the stream of all geographers, locates these Amazons on the borders of Hircania. (l. 6. c. 10.) However, Justin says that they bordered on Albania. (l. 42. c. 3.) Clitarchus says that Thalestris came from the Caspian Gates and the Thermodoon River to Alexander. It took her a 25 or 35 day journey to reach him through many counties. (l. 12. c. 3.) The journey was at least 750 miles. (Strabo. l. 11.) Her visit to Alexander is recorded by Polycrates, Onesicritus, Antigenes, Hister and various others. However, Aristobulus Chares the historian, Ptolemy Lagus, Anticlides, Philo Thebanus the historian, Hecateus Eretriensis, Philippus Chaleidensis and Duris Samius say that it is a mere fable. Alexander seems to agree. In his Commentaries to Antigonus, in which he recorded the events exactly, he says that a certain Scythian offered him his daughter for a wife. No mention is made of an Amazon. It is also reported that Onesisieritus, many years later was reading his 4th book to Lysimachus who was then reigning. When he mentioned something of an Amazon that came to Alexander, Lysimachus smiled and said:

``I pray sir, where was I all the while?'' (Plut. in Alex. see Strabo, l. 11. p. 505. and Arria. l. 1. p. 155, 156.)

1955. When Alexander returned to Parthiene, he indulged himself there in all kinds of Persian luxuries. He commanded also his nobles to take and wear the long Persian robe of cloth of gold and scarlet. If any of the common soldiers wanted to marry a Persian, he allowed it.

1956. Bessus now wore his turban upright and pointed along with other regal attire. He assumed the title of Artaxerxes and king of Asia. He gathered into a body all those Persians who had fled into Bactria. With these he had Bactrians, the Scythians and others who lived as far as the bank of the Tanais River. He planned to make a war on Alexander.

1957. Alexander made Amminapes a Parthian, governor of Patthia and Hircania under him. Amminapes with Mazeus or Mezaces, had delivered Egypt into his hands. Alexander had Tlepolemus the son of Pythophanis, one of his friends, (Arrian. l. 3. p. 69.) in the government with Amminapes. Although Curtius says, that he made Menapis (for so he calls Amminapes) governor of Hircania, who before was banished by Ochus and had fled to his father Philip for refuge. (l. 6. c. 8.) Justin says that when Alexander had subdued Parthia, he made a certain noble man of Persia, called Andragoras its governor. From him the kings of Parthia descended since Arsaces notes him as the founder of the Parthian kingdom. He was also called Andragoras. (Justin. l. 41. c. 4.)

1958. After this, Alexander came to Susia, a city of the Arians. Sanbarzanes, governor of the Arians, came to him. Alexander restored his government to him. He also had Anaxippus, one of his nobles to hold the government with him. He gave him 40 javeliners on horse back to attend him. He could put these in places where he thought best to keep the Arians from being plundered or injured by the army as it passed by.

1959. Alexander was now ready to march against Bessus. When he saw that his army was so loaded with the spoil and luxurious goods they were in no condition to march, he first commanded his own goods than their goods to be burned. He kept only what was necessary for their immediate needs.

1960. Nicanor, the son of Parmenion, the captain of the Argyraspides, (i.e. of the silver shields, or targeteers,) died suddenly and everyone mourned his passing. Alexander was especially grieved and would have stayed to be present at his funeral but lack of provisions in that place would not permit him to. Therefore he left Nicanor's brother Philotas there with 2600 men to take care of the funeral. Alexander went on his journey in pursuit of Bessus.

1961. Satibarzanes, to whom Alexander had restored his government over the Arians, as mentioned earlier, murdered Anaxippus with his 40 javeliners on horse back. He gathered all the forces he could to the chief city of the Arians, called Chortacana or Artacoana. When he heard that Alexander was coming, he planned to go and join with Bessus in a common war against the Macedonians.

1962. When Alexander heard of this, he halted his journey into Bactria. He marched 75 miles in two days and came to Attacoana. Satibarzanes with 2000 cavalry (for that was all he could gather at that time) fled into Bactria to Bessus. The rest escaped to the mountains. Alexander pursued Satibarzanes a long time but was not able to overtake him. He attacked those who were in the mountains and took the craggy rocks where 13,000 armed Arians had fled. Alexander returned to Attacoana which was besieged by Craterus during this time. Craterus had prepared all things for an assault and waited for Alexander to lead it so that the honour of taking the place would fall to Alexander not him. Joab did the same for David. 2Sa 12:27,28 When the king came, he found them ready to plead for his mercy. He pardoned them and lifted his siege. He restored to every man what was his. Within 30 days he had taken all the places of that country and made Arsaces their governor.

1963. Fresh supplies came to Alexander. Zoilus brought him 500 cavalry from Greece. Antipater sent him 3000 soldiers from Illyrium. Philip the son of Menelaus brought him mercenary cavalry from Media along with 130 of the Thessalians that Alexander, at Ecbatane, had given leave to return home. They refused and continued with Alexander. From Lydia came 2600 foot soldiers with 300 cavalry under the command of Andromachus, according to Arrian.

1964. With these new forces Alexander came to the Drangeans (whom Arrian calls Zarangeans) whose governor was Barzaentes. He was one of those who with Bessus and Nabarzanes had turned on Darius. He feared punishment from Alexander and fled away to the Indians on this side the Indus River.

1965. Alexander spent 5 days in the chief city of the Drangean country. Some of his own people began to conspire his death. Dimnus, a Macedonian, revealed to Nicomachus, Alexander's bard that 3 days from then, Alexander would be murdered and that he was in on the plot with various nobles. Although Nicomachus was sworn to secrecy by Dimnus, he told the matter to his brother Ceballinus and wished him to tell the king of it. Since Ceballinus could not get to Alexander, he told it to Philotas first. When he found that Philotas was indifferent and likely in on the plot, Ceballinus went to Metron, a noble young gentleman and in charge of the artillery. He advised Metron to tell Alexander about it immediately. When Alexander heard of it, he immediately ordered all those in the plot to be arrested. When Dimnus was taken, he knew why and killed himself with his sword. When Ceballinus was questioned, he protested that the very hour he heard of it that he told the matter to Philotas and requested him to tell the king. When Philotas was questioned about this, he said it was true. He said he meant no harm but only through his carelessness he did nothing thinking it was a baseless rumour. When Philotas was put on the rack, he confessed all and was executed with the rest of the conspirators. Philotas was the son of Pamenion who was next to Alexander in authority.

[Soldier4Christ]

 1966. Alexander Lyncestes was also called before a council of Macedonians for his previous conspiracy for which he was in prison for 3 years. (Diodorus & Curtius) This is that Alexander Aneropus who before the battle at Issos 4 years earlier was put in prison for plotting the king's death. (Diodorus, Justin and Arrian) See note on 3671 AM. Lyncestes had plotted Alexander's death several times previously. Alexander spoke the following to his council of Macedonians: (Curt. l. 8. c. 16.):

``Alexander Lyncestes was twice arraigned for two counts of treason against my life. I have twice taken him out of the hand of justice and when he was convicted a third time, I gave him a reprieve and kept him in prison these 3 years. (For so it should be according to the true Palatine Manuscript and not "2 years", as in the ordinary printed books.) Until now you desired that he be given his just punishment.''

1967. When he was questioned concerning that latest attempt on Alexander's life, he could not answer without faltering. Therefore without any more adieu, he was thrust through with lances by those which stood about and heard him at the bar.

1968. After the body of Lyncestes was carried from the place, the king still sat at in the judgment seat. He had Amyntas the son of Andromenes with Attalus and Symmias' brothers, all very close to Philotas to be brought to the bar. When Polemon who was the youngest of the group had heard that Philotas was put on the rack, he fled but was captured and brought to judgment. Finally, Alexander acquitted them all, as a result of the general intercession of those that were there. Then he immediately sent Polydamas whom Parmenion loved very much, with two Arabians on dromedary camels into Media. They were to get there before the news of the death of Philotas reached those lands. They had letters for Cleander, Sitalces and Menidas, the commanders in the army under Pamenion, to kill him. He was the governor of Media and had the greatest reputation and authority next to the king in the army. Parmenion was now 70 years old. After he had read Alexander's letter and was reading the second letter written to him in the name of his son Philotas, he was stabbed to death. Cleander sent his head to the king and would hardly allow the rest of his body to be buried. Strabo (l. 15. p. 724.) tells us, that this all happened in 11 day's time. An ordinary journey normally took 30 to 40 days just to get there.

1969. Alexander feared least the glory all his actions might be blemished with the cruelty by the previous action. He did as Gaus formerly did. (See note on 3620 AM) He let it be known that he was to send some of his friends into Macedonia. He advised all men that wanted to write to their friends in those parts not to miss this opportunity of sending a note back home since they were going further east. Every man wrote a letter and he ordered to have all the letters brought to him. By this he found out what everyone thought of him. He put all those whom he found either weary of the war or unhappy with his actions, into one company. He called this the unruly company and put Leonidas, formerly an intimate friend of Parmenion's, in charge of it. Then he divided his fellow cavaliers into two regiments. He assigned the one part to be commanded by Hephaestion and the other by Clitus.

1970. When Alexander had settled matters among the Drangians, he marched toward them who were called of old, Agriaspe, or Arimaspi. In later times Cyrus called them the Euergetae, i.e. Benefactors for a good deed they did to him. Alexander was warmly received and entertained by them.

1971. After staying 5 days in that country, he had news that Satibarzanes with 2000 cavalry from Bessus, had attacked the Arians and made them defect from Alexander. Against Satibarzanes, he sent 6000 Greek foot soldiers and 600 calvary under the command of Erigyius and Caranus. Diodorus says that Stasanors commanded together with Artbazus, the Persian, Andronicas and Phrataphernes, the governor of Parthia.

1972. He stayed with the Euergetae and sacrificed to Apollo. He committed Demetrius to prison. He was one of the captains of his bodyguard (??), whom Alexander suspected of conspiracy with Philotas. He replaced him with Ptolemy the son of Lagus. He gave to the Euergetae a large sum of money and such lands as they desired which was not much. When he was welcomed by the Gedrosians, who bordered on the Euergetae, he also rewarded them according to their deeds.

3675a AM, 4384 JP, 330 BC

1973. After he spent 60 days with the Euergetae, he left Amenides as their new governor. He had been Darius' secretary for some time, according to Curtius. However, Arrian says he left them a free state. Diodorus reports that he made Teridates the governor of both the Euergetae and Gedrosions.

1974. Alexander left them and marched into Bactria against Bessus. He subdued the Drangi, the Dragagi and Arachosia on his way. Part of his army which was formerly commanded by Parmenion met him. There were 6000 Macedonians and 200 men of honour among them. These were the very pith and marrow of all his army. He appointed Menon as governor of Arachosia and left him 4000 soldiers and 600 cavalry to keep order in the country.

1975. Alexander led his army into the country of the Paropamisadae about the time of the setting of the seven stars and beginning of winter. (Strabo, l. 15. p. 724.) All the country was covered with snow. The days were obscurely dark rather than light so that a man could hardly discern anything close by. In this vast wilderness, Alexander's army endured the misery of lack of food, cold, weariness and even despair. Many died from the cold and many men's feet rotted off their legs from frost bite. At last they came into a warmer country with more provisions. The army was relieved and the whole country was quickly brought into subjection.

1976. Alexander went to the Caucasus Mountains which some call Paropamysus. He crossed the mountains in a 16 or 17 day march and built a city near the foot of them at a place where that mountain pass opens into Media. He called the city after his own name, Alexandria. He also built various other cities, each a day's journey from Alexandria. He relocated 7000 inhabitants of the countries in that area into these new cities. He put 3000 which followed the camp and let as many of those who were grown unserviceable in the wars settle there who wanted to. He made Proexes, a Persian, governor of all that region and left one of his friends, Niloxenes, to be the ruler over them.

1977. When the Macedonians and Arians were fighting, Satibarzanes, who commanded the enemy came between the two armies. He pulled off his helmet, said who he was and challenged any man that dared to a duel. Erigyius, the general of the Macedonian army took up the challenge and ran his spear through his body, killing him. When the barbarians, who came there by compulsion rather than willingly saw that their captain was dead, they trusted Erigyius and laid down their arms and submitted to him.

[Soldier4Christ]

 3675b AM, 4385 JP, 329 BC

1978. Bessus and those Persians who joined with him in seizing Darius, with about 7000 Bactrians and some of the Dahae who lived east of the Tanais River, foraged the country bordering on the Caucasus Mounatins. They hoped that by ravaging and destroying all the countries which lay between them and Alexander that he would not dare come that way for fear of starving his army. Nevertheless, Alexander went on under extreme difficulty of much snow and too little food.

1979. When winter was almost over, he had India on his right hand. He passed over the mountains into Bactria. Not a tree was to be seen all the way except for a few shrubs. (Strabo. l. 15. p. 724.) His troops found by the way some quantity of Indian wheat. From this the common soldiers squeezed a kind of juice which they used for oil to ease the pain of their cold joints. This juice was sold for 240 denarius per pitcher. A pitcher of wine fetched 300 denarius. There was very little wheat to make bread with. From hunger, the common soldier sustained himself by catching river fish and eating such herbs as he could get. Finally they came to a place where there were neither fish nor plants to eat. They were told to kill their draught animals and eat them. This kept them alive until they came into Bactria. (Curt. l. 7. c. 7.) Strabo adds, that they were forced to eat it raw for lack of fire to roast it with. To settle their stomachs, they had a supply of an herb called benzome which helped their digestion.

1980. Bessus was terrified by Alexander's rapid advance. After he had first sacrificed to his gods, he feasted his friends and captains. As they ate they discussed the war at hand. He bragged of a kingdom which he had gotten by treachery. He was hardly in his right mind. He boasted that the cowardice of Darius had enhanced the fame and glory of the enemy. He resolved to march with his army into Sogdiana. He would have the Oxus River as a wall between him and Alexander until help came in from other parts. When all the rest were as drunk as he was, Cobares, (according to Curtius, or Bagodoras: according to Diodoras), a Median and a soothsayer by profession, advised him that when he was sober and came to his senses, he should submit to Alexander. Bessus was so enraged that he drew his sword and those with him could barely restrain him from killing Cobares. In the meantime, Cobares fled and the next night came to Alexander.

1981. On the 15th day after he set out from his new city of Alexandria and his winter quarters, he came to Adrapsa, a city of Bactra. (Strabo l. 15. p. 725.) or Drapsaca, according to Arrian. After he had refreshed his army he marched to Aornos and Bactra, the two main cities of Bactria. He took them on the first assault. He put a garrison into the citadel of Aornos under the command of his friend, Archelaus.

1982. Bessus had 7000 or 8000 Bactrians in his army. They remained loyal to him and thought that Alexander would never follow them into that cold climate but rather go into India. However, when they saw that Alexander marched toward them, every man stole away to his own home and left Bessus all alone. He was left with a small retinue of his servants and tenants which remained loyal to him. After they crossed the Oxus River by boat, they burned the boats so that Alexander might not make use of them. They went to a place called Nautaca, in the country of Sogdiana to raise new forces from those parts. Spitamenes and Oxyartes followed him with some Sogdian cavalry and such Dahae as had come to him from the bank of Tanais.

3675c AM, 4385 JP, 329 BC

1983. Alexander made Artabazus governor of Bactria. He left his wagons with a guard to keep them. With the rest of the army, he set out at night and came into the desert of Sogdiana. When he had gone about 50 miles and found no water at all, the next day his whole army was dying of thirst. Later when they found water, more died from drinking too much than he had ever lost in any battle.

1984. Toward evening, Alexander came to the river Oxus where he spent that night greatly disturbed as he waited for the rest of his army to come.

1985. Before he crossed the river, he picked from his Macedonians those who either from age or wounds were not fit to fight and from the Thessalians who followed him as volunteers, he selected 900. He gave everyone in the cavalry 2 talents and to each foot soldier he gave 3000 denarius or drachmas. He wanted them to go home and join their families and dismissed them. He thanked the rest for promising to go on with him in the war.

1986. He also sent his friend, Stasanor to the Arians to seize Arsaces their governor, because he seemed to up to no good. He appointed Stasanor to be governor in his place.

1987. There was no timber there to make boats with. Therefore when he grew impatient by the delay, he had the hides which covered the soldiers' tents to be taken down and leather bags to be stuffed with straw and sown or tied together. In 5 days, he ferried his army across the river on these leather boats.

1988. Spitamenes was Bessus' most respected and honoured friend. As soon as he heard that Alexander had crossed the Oxus River, he told the news to Dataphernes and Catenes. They were trusted aides of Bessus. Catenes laid hold on Bessus, removed his regal diadem from his head and tore the robe in pieces which he wore and had taken from the body of Darius.

1989. After Alexander had crossed the Oxus River, he soon marched to the place where Bessus was. On the way, he received news from Spitamenes and Dataphernes that if he would be pleased to send any captain of his with a sufficient guard, they would deliver Bessus into his hands. Therefore Alexander sent Ptolemy the son of Lagus with 3 companies of cavalry, the regiment of foot soldiers under Philotas, 1000 of the silver targeteers, all the entire squadron of the Agrians and one half of the Archers. Ptolemy marched in 4 days with these to the place where Spitamenes with his army had camped the day before. This is normally a 10 day journey.

1990. Meanwhile, Alexander came to a little town of the Branchids. The inhabitants were relocated there by Xerxes from Miletum many years earlier. This was the reward he gave them for their work on his behalf in betraying Miletum and in pulling down the temple of Apollo Didymaeus. See note on 3526 AM. This town became the home of traitors. It was wholly plundered and then totally destroyed. All the inhabitants, men, women and children, were killed with the sword. Had this been executed on the traitors, it would have been an act of justice and not of cruelty. Now the children suffered for their forefather's fault. These never saw Miletum, much less betrayed it to Xerxes. (Curt. l. 7. c. 12. with Strabo l. 11. p. 117, 118.)

1991. As Alexander was on his march, Bessus was brought to him not only bound but stark naked, a sight well pleasing to all the men, both Greeks and barbarians. All that brought him were rewarded for their efforts. The prisoner was committed to the keeping of Oxertas, Darius' brother whom Alexander had made one of the captains of his bodyguard. Oxertas planned to have him crucified after his ears and nose were cut off, his body shot through and through with arrows and that his dead body should be watched so that no bird might land on it. After Bessus was scourged with whips, he was remanded to Bactria and his death deferred. He was to be executed in the place where he had murdered Darius.

[Soldier4Christ]

 1992. Alexander had re-enforced his army. He had lost many troops in crossing over the Caucasus Mountains, the journey to the Oxus River and his march to the Tanais River. This is not that river which divided Europe from Asia and empties Ameotis Lake into the Euxine Sea. It is another Tanais, called also Jaxartes, which Pliny (l. 6. c. 16.) is by the Scythians termed "Sylis", and by the inhabitants in the area "Orxantes", according to Aristobulus.

1993. At this place certain Macedonians went foraging not as carefully as they should have done. They were attacked by certain natives from the mountains. Many were killed but more were captured. These natives numbered 30,000 men but Curtius says 20,000 men. Against these natives, Alexander speedily gathered such companies as he had closest at hand. In this fight, he was shot with an arrow in the thigh and when the shaft was pulled out the head stayed in. Arrian tells us that the hill was taken and of 30,000 enemy troops, less than 8000 escaped. However, Curtius tells us that the next day after he was hurt, those barbarians voluntarily surrendered to him and sent him the prisoners which they had taken and made their peace with him.

1994. He moved his camp and he was carried in an ordinary stretcher which every man was happy to take turns carrying. In 4 days he came to Maracanda, the principal city of all Sogdiana whose wall is almost 9 miles in circumference. He left a garrison to keep the city. He went and wasted and burned the nearby towns. A few days later, ambassadors came to him from the Scythians called Abis. These had always lived as a free state ever since the death of Cyrus but now they surrendered to him.

1995. The barbarians who lived near the river captured the Macedonian soldiers that were left there in the garrison and slew them. They started to fortify their cities. Many of the Sogdians joined with them and were encouraged by those who had taken Bessus' side. They caused some of the Bactrians to defect also. The Susians and Bactrians had 7000 cavalry which helped cause the rest to defect. Alexander sent Spitamenes and Catenes, who had delivered Bessus into his hands, to repress them. They reproved the principal ring-leaders of that rebellion. They said that Alexander had sent for all the Bactrian cavalry so that he could murder them.

1996. When Alexander heard of this, he attacked the city of Gaza and sent Craterus against Cyropolis. When he had taken Gaza, he slew all that were of age in it. The women and children were sold into slavery and the city was destroyed. This was to be an example to others. He took 4 other cities in those parts within 2 days and treated them in the same manner. After this he marched away to Cyropolis. 18,000 men had fled there because the place was well fortified and a good refuge. In that siege he both lost the bravest and best men of his army and he was in extreme danger. He took such a blow in the neck with a stone that his eyes were dazzled and he fell and lost his senses for the present. However he was of an invincible courage against such casualties that would daunt other men. Although his wound was not yet thoroughly healed, he assaulted it more fiercely than before. His anger spurred on his natural fighting abilities. When the city was first taken, 8000 of the enemy were killed. The rest fled into the citadel. When Alexander had besieged it for only one day, they surrendered for lack of water.

1997. Alexander ordered Cyropolis to be levelled to the ground. Of 7 cities which the natives had fortified for themselves, there remained now only one to be taken. He took it on the very first assault. However, Ptolemy says, it surrendered to him. Aristobulus says, that the men taken in it were distributed in the army and kept bound until Alexander left that country. This would leave none behind who had a hand in that revolt.

1998. Meanwhile the Scythians of Asia came with a great army to the bank of the Tanais River. When they heard that the counties on the other side were up in arms against Alexander, they planned that if the inhabitants of these countries revolted in large numbers, to join with them against Alexander and to attack the Macedonians.

1999. Spitamenes stayed within the walls of Maracanda and besieged the garrison of Macedonians who were in the citadel there. Against him, Alexander sent Menedemus, Andromachus and Caranus along with 60 of his fellow cavaliers, 800 of his mercenaries led by Caranus, 1500 mercenary foot soldiers. (Curtius says 3000.) Alexander gave them Pharnuches for an interpreter because he spoke the barbarian's language and could therefore best serve to negotiate with them.

2000. Alexander came back to the bank of the Tanais River and made a wall around his camp. He made a city of it with walls of almost 8 miles in circumference and called the city after his own name, Alexandria. The work was done so quickly that within 17 days after the walls were up, it was filled with houses also. (Curtius, l. 7. c. 17.) However, Justin says, that in 17 days, he built a wall around it 6 miles in circumference. (l. 12. c. 5.) Arrian states that in 20 days the city was enclosed with a wall. He gave the city to his Greek mercenaries to live in along with any of the natives in the area who wished to live there. Any of his Macedonians who were grown unserviceable for the war were allowed to live there too. He also put some of his captive prisoners to fill this newly built city. He paid their various masters their ransom and so made them freemen and citizens of the place. He also relocated the inhabitants of three cities which Cyrus had built, to this city.

2001. The king of the Scythians whose kingdom lay beyond the Tanais River, knew that city was built on purpose to restrain his ambitions. He sent his brother Carcasis to take and demolish it and to expel those Macedonians from the river side. These Sycthians rode up and down on the other side of the river in Alexander's sight and shot arrows and hurled insults at him and his Macedonians. Alexander was not yet fully recovered from his wound. His voice failed him and he could not stand alone nor sit on horseback. He could not order for what he wanted done.

2002. Spitamenes had with him besides his own men, some 600 Dahae and wild Scythian cavalry. These attacked a part of the army that was sent by Alexander to relieve them who were besieged in the citadel at Maracanda and slew them. Aristobulus says, that when the Macedonians were fighting, there suddenly arose from the neighbouring gardens such a number of Scythians that they slew almost all the Macedonians. Barely 40 cavalry and 300 foot soldiers escaped. Curtius mentions only that 2000 foot soldiers lost in that defeat. However, Alexander, to hide the greatness of that loss, ordered those who returned to his camp, upon pain of death, not to speak a word about it.

[Soldier4Christ]

 3675d AM, 4385 JP, 329 BC

2003. Alexander put his heavily armed foot soldiers into as many boats as he could make. The rest swam on leather bags stuffed with straw. They crossed the Tanais River with incredible courage and attacked and routed the Scythians. Even though Alexander was quite weak, he pursued them for 10 miles. In this battle, 60 Macedonian cavalry and almost 100 foot soldiers died. About 1000 were wounded.

2004. Not long after this, Scythian ambassadors came to him to justify what had happened. They said that this war was not made on him by the Scythian nation but by only a few among them who lived by robbery and plundering. The law abiding inhabitants would yield to him. Alexander accepted this and replied kindly. He released all the prisoners without a ransom so that these warlike people would see that his battle with them, was for honour, not revenge.

2005. When the Sacae saw this, they sent their ambassadors to him and offered him their service. He as graciously dealt with them. He had Excipinus, a young gentleman whom he loved very dearly and was to him like Hephaestion was, to keep them company and to entertain them.

2006. Alexander took half of his fellow cavaliers, all his targeteers, archers, Agrians and the best of all the Macedonian squadron. He marched to Maracanda where he was told that Spitamenes had returned again to besiege the Greeks in the citadel. He marched about 90 miles in 3 days and came early the next day to the city. When Spitamenes heard of his approach, he lifted his siege and fled. Alexander pursued him as fast as he could. On the way he came to the place, where the Scythians had slain his Macedonians. He had their bones gathered and buried with a proper Macedonian funeral. After this he followed the enemy until he came into the desert.

2007. And by this time Craterus who marched at a slower pace as he was told to, came to Alexander with the largest part of the army. To punish the Sogdians who had revolted from him, Alexander divided his army into two parts and ordered them to burn every place and kill all males of age. In this manner he overran all that region. Here the river called Polytimetus runs. Beyond that the river runs underground and all the country is a desert, totally devoid of cities and inhabitants.

2008. Diodorus guesses (part 2. l. 1.) that Alexander killed 120,000 Sogdians. 30 of the most noble of them, all men of great strength were brought to Alexander. He wondered at their undaunted courage when they faced death and freed them on the condition they would be loyal to him after this. They kept their word and when they returned home, they made all their people submit to Alexander. Alexander took 4 of them to be in his bodyguard. No Macedonians proved more faithful to him than these were.

2009. He left Pencolaus there with a garrison of 3000 foot soldiers (for no more were needed) and he came into Bactria. Alexander called together all that were there and ordered that Bessus be brought to him. Alexander reproached him for his treachery to Darius and had his nose and crops of his ears cut off. He sent Bessus to Ecbatane so that he might there be executed in the sight of the Medes and Persians. Plutarch says that Alexander ordered both his arms and legs tied to two trees that were bend down so that when the trees were released, they would tare him to pieces. Diodorus writes that the brother of Darius and his other kinsfolks railed and reproached him in many speeches. Then they cut his whole body into gibbets and then put them into slings and scattered them abroad.

2010. About the same time Phrataphernes the governor of Parthia and Stasanor who was sent into Aria to apprehend Arsaces, came to him. Stasanor brought Arsaces bound in chains along with Barzanes, whom Bessus had made governor under him of Persia and other men involved in the revolt of Bessus.

2011. From the Asian sea coast Epocillus and Melanidas came to Alexander. Also Ptolemy the commander of the Thracians came who had escorted the money sent by Menetes and those old soldiers whom Alexander had dismissed to go home. Ptolemy and Melanidas brought with them 3000 foot soldiers and 1000 cavalry mercenaries. A man called Alexander came with the 3000 foot soldiers and 500 cavalry. Bessus the governor of Syria, Asclepidorus the commander at sea sent him just as many. Antipater sent him 8000 Greek mercenaries and 500 cavalry under the command of Asander and Nearchus.

2012. With this larger army, he proceeded to set in order what had been disturbed by that general revolt from him. Many, especially the Sogdians, had gone into walled towns and cities and set up their own defences and would not submit to the governor whom he had set over them. Therefore he left Polysperchion, Attalus, Gorgius and Meleager in Bactria to keep order so that they would not revolt again nor draw others into rebellion. After a 4 day march, Alexander came to the bank of the Oxus River. This river had a muddy bottom and is very filthy and unhealthy to drink. Therefore, the soldiers started digging wells for water but found none. At last they saw a spring rising up in the king's pavilion, which because they had not seen it before they said that it suddenly arose there. (Curt. l. 7. c. 25.) Plutarch reports that Proxenus a Macedonian and muster of the king's wardrobe dug a place near the Oxus River to pitch the king's pavilion. He found a spring of a fatty and oleaginous or oily liquor that Alexander in his letters to Antipater states was one of the greatest miracles that God had shown him. Arrian goes further and says that he found two fountains, one of water and the other of oil. They recently had sprung up near the place where Alexander's tent stood. When Ptolemy brought Alexander word, he presently (as he was directed by his soothsayers) offered sacrifices to his gods. Aristander told him that the fountain of oil foreshadowed the great labour and travail that he was to endure but in the end he would be crowned with victory.

2013. When he had crossed the Ochus and Oxus River, he came to the Marginia or Magriana River. Around it he built 6 towns, 2 on the south side and 4 on the east side. They were build close together so each town could help the other one if needed. (Curt. l. 7. c. 25.) Strabo tells us that he built 8 towns in Bactria and Sogdiana. (l. 11. p. 717.) Justin mentions 12 (l. 12. c. 5.) and notes that he put those in his army who were rebellous and seditious and hence got rid of them.

[Soldier4Christ]

 3676a AM, 4385 JP, 329 BC

2014. Arimazes of Sogdiana with a 30,000 man army climbed to the top of a high rock called Oxi by Strabo. They made provision for a 3 year seige. This rock was about 3.75 miles high and 19 miles in circumference. Alexander made generous promises to 300 gallant young lads who volunteered to climb the rock. Using cramp-irons where needed, they were able to slowly climb the rock. 32 died in the attempt. They either slipped or the rock broke from under them. The Sogdians were astonished as if by a miracle, to see that men had gotten up there. They thought there were more coming who were better armed then they were, so they surrendered. Arimazes their leader was quite afraid. He and the chief men of the country, came down to the king in his camp. Alexander had them well whipped and later crucified at the base of the hill. He distributed the rest for slaves among the new cities which he had built with the money he had taken from them. Arabazus was left to keep the Sogdians and the neighbouring countries under subjection. (Curt. l. 7. c. ult. & Polyanus Stratag. l. 5. in Alexander n. 29.)

2015. After Alexander had taken the Oxi Rock in Sogdiana, he saw the enemies in various parts. He divided his whole army into 5 brigades. Hephaestion commanded 3 brigades, Caenus and Artabazus the 4th and Alexander the 5th. Alexander marched the next day toward Maracanda and the rest ranged here and there as they wished. If they found that any had fled to citadels or places of strength, they attacked and captured them. If they surrendered, they were treated mercifully. When all these five brigades had taken in most Sogdiana, they met at Maracanda. Alexander sent Hephaestion to make colonies in various parts. He sent Coenus and Artabazus to Scythia for he heard that Spitomenes had gone there. He took the rest of the army into Sogdiana, and easily retook any places that the rebels had fled to. Those that surrendered without fighting, he relocated in those towns which he had subdued by force and caused their lands to be divided among these new inhabitants.

2016. While these things happened, Spitamenes, the rebels of Bactria, a company of Sogdians who were fled from thence into Scythia and some 600 or 800 Massagetan cavalry who came to him, went to a certain citadel which was built and manned against the Bactrians. They suddenly attacked the garrison and slew every man and put the governor in prison. Proud of their deed, they went soon after to take the city of Zariaspes. This they failed to do but carried away much spoil from the country around it.

2017. To suppress this rabble, Attinas governor of the country, led out some 300 cavalry not knowing the enemy had planned to ambush him. With these troops, he took some of the king's cavalry that had been left sick at Zariaspes and were now recovered. Pithon, the son of Sosicles and Aristonicas, a musician, commanded them. These two gathered some 80 mercenary cavalry troops of those who were left in the garrison at Zariaspes along with some of the king's cavaliers. They planned to go in a company with Attinas into the country of the Massagetae. However, Spitamenes and his troops rose from the thickets and woods and suddenly attacked them. They killed 7 of the king's cavaliers and 60 of the mercenaries. Aristonicus the musician, was also killed in that fight and behaved himself more like a soldier than a fiddler. In this encounter, Spitamenes killed Attinas with his whole company, Pithon was wounded and escaped. The news of this ambush came quickly to Craterus. He with all his cavalry troops attacked the Massagetae and routed them. He pursued them until they came to the wilderness of that country, where they fought. After a fierce battle, the Macedonians routed them. When the Massagetae saw that 150 of their cavalry were killed, they fled and easily saved themselves in that wilderness. The Dahae lost at least 1000 men. This put an end to the rebellion in those parts.

2018. After Alexander had subdued all Sogdiana for the second time, he returned to Maracanda. An ambassador from the king of the Scythians who lived on the European side north of the Bosphorus came to Alexander with a present and offered him his daughter in marriage. Alexander mentions this in his letter to Antipater as I said previously. If Alexander declined the proposal, the ambassador's alternate plan was to have Alexander allow his Macedonian nobles to marry into the principal houses of the Scythians. The ambassador offered that if Alexander wished, he would come in person to receive his commands from Alexander. (??)

2019. At the same time, Phrataphernes or Pharoemenus, who commanded the Chorasmians who bordered on the countries of the Massagetae and Dahae sent his messengers to let them know that he was ready to receive Alexander's commands. After he graciously heard both the ambassador's and the governor's errands, Alexander stayed there waiting for the return of Hephaestion and Craterus.

2020. As soon as Hephaestion and Craterus came, Alexander with his army attacked the country of Bazaria or Bazistis. Here was virgin forest in which a huge lion attacked the king by chance. Lysimachus, who was later the king of Thracia, offered to interpose himself with his hunting spear but the king would not allow it and asked him to stand aside. When the lion came on, Alexander held his ground and slew him with only one blow. After his army slew some 4000 wild beasts in that forest, he with all his army had a great feast in the woods.

2021. When Alexander returned to Maracanda, Artabazus resigned as governor of Bactria by reason of his age. Alexander gave the command of it to an old soldier of his father's, called Clitus, the son of Dropidas of Macedon, the brother of Hellanica or Lanica, Alexander's nurse. She was a woman whom he always respected and loved as his own mother. In a dream, he happened to see himself in mourning and sitting among Parmenion's sons who had died previous to this.

2022. The 3rd day after this dream was a holiday to Bacchus when Alexander usually offered the yearly sacrifice to him. Now someone at that time had brought him apples from Greece. He wondered at the fresh colour and good appearance of them. He sent for Clitus to show him the apples and to give him some of them. Clitus left the sacrifice which he was about to make. As he was going quickly to the king, he was followed by 3 sheep which were already prepared to be offered having meal and salt on their heads. When the king heard of this he asked his two principal soothsayers, Aristander and Cleomenes the Spartan, what this meant. They told him that it was an abominable sign and Alexander remembered his dream. He ordered them to go quickly and offer a sacrifice for him. Clitus came to the feast which the king made. Alexander had sacrificed to Castor and Pollux. When he was quite drunk, he began to brag greatly about his acts and devalue the deeds of his father Philip. Most who were at the feast applauded him. However, Clitus on the other hand upheld the deeds of Philip and spoke honourably of his achievements and decried the present times. He sometimes said some disgraceful things about Alexander. Alexander rose in a rage and intended to kill Clitus. He (according to Aristobulus) escaped out the back door and left the trenches and got into the fort to Ptolemy the son of Lagus. Both of them returned to the feast and Clitus sat again in the same seat. Ptolemy saw Alexander as he was calling out for Clitus. He said that here is Clitus and what do you want to do with him? Thereupon Alexander ran Clitus through with his spear and slew him.

[Soldier4Christ]

 2023. Later when Alexander considered the foulness of this act, he grew as angry with himself as he formerly had been with Clitus. He resolved to make amends and therefore shut himself up 3 whole days and did not have food or drink nor took any care at all of what became of him.

2024. When he had now continued fasting into the 4th day, the captains of his bodyguard broke in on him. After a long time, they were able to persuade him to eat again. His soothsayers told him that this happened because he did not sacrifice to Bacchus. Therefore, he soon went and sacrificed to him. He was glad to hear that this event came from the anger of the gods rather than from the malice of his heart. Aristander reminded him of his dream and of the sheep. He told Alexander that what was done, was done by fate and could not have been avoided. Calisthenes the philosopher agreed with Aristander in this. Anaxarchus of Abdera, a subtil teacher, went much further in this shameless flattery. He quoted an old proverb that Justice always sits at Jupiter's elbow. From that he concluded that whatever kings did, was to be taken as right and just. To lift Alexander's spirits, all the Macedonians unanimously declared that Clitus was treated fairly and justly put to death. They would have forbidden his burial, if the king himself had not ordered it to be done.

2025. When he had spent 10 days in settling his mind over this, he sent Hephaestion with a part of his army into Bactria. He was to prepare his winter quarters there. Alexander made Amyntas, the son of Nicolaus the governor of Bactria to which Clitus was intended to be. He left Caenus there with his own and Meleager's brigade. He left 400 of his fellow cavaliers and spearmen on horseback, with the Bactrians and Sogdians, who were under the command of Amyntas. Alexander ordered everyone to obey Caenus and to spend that winter in Sogdiana. He wanted to keep order in that country and hoped to capture Spitamenes if he happened to come for his winter provisions into those parts. (Arrian. l. 4.)

2026. Alexander journeyed to Xenippa which bordered on Scythia where the Bactrians who had revolted from him had retired to. As soon as it was known that Alexander was coming, the natives ordered them to get out. Therefore, they gathered into a body of 2200 cavalry and attacked Amyntas, a commander of Alexander's. There was a fierce and long skirmish between them. They fled after losing 700 men and having had 300 taken prisoner. They had killed 80 Macedonians and wounded 350 more. However, when they yielded to Alexander again, they were pardoned.

2027. After this, Alexander went with his army to a place called Naura or Nautaca. Sisimithres, its governor, had two sons born from his own mother. With those people, it was lawful for children to have intercourse with their parents. Sisimithres had taken the gates or passes which open through the mountains into his own country. With a strong force he had well fortified the pass which was naturally well defended by a most swift and violent river through it (??) and had a huge rock at the back of it. (Curt. l. 8. c. 6.) Arrian says that this rock was at Parataca and was 2.5 miles high and about 7.5 miles in circumference. He calls the name of the rock, Chorienes, after the name of him that kept it. However, Strabo, together with Curtius and Plutarch, calls it Sisimithres' Rock and locates it in Bactria. They say it was almost 2 miles high and 10 miles in circumference. It had a large plain on the top of it of good land and well able to support 500 men. They also say that on the rock (not on that other rock in Sogdiana) Oxyartes had his daughter Roxane whom afterward Alexander made his wife. (Strabo, l. 11. p. 517.)

2028. Although Alexander saw this pass was naturally well fortified and strongly defended, his battering rams quickly made a breach in the fortifications. He entered the outer fortifications and approached the rock. At the base of the rock there was a vast bog caused by the rain which fell from the rock and was trapped there. He did not know how to fill it up quickly. Meanwhile, he had the beech trees which grew in abundance there, cut and made into long stakes which his army drove down into the bog. All the day long he stayed to encourage the work. Perdiccas and Leonatus, and Ptolemy the son of Lagus, the captains of his personal guard divided the rest of the army into 3 parts and continued the work at night. They could not advance more than 30 feet by day and less by night even though all the army incessantly worked at it. The rock was so craggy and the work was very difficult.

2029. At that time Oxyartes, a great man of that country, a prince and the father of Roxane, was with Alexander. When Alexander asked him about the spirit and courage of Sisimithres, he replied that he was the most cowardly man that ever lived. Alexander replied:

``Surely you have said enough to teach me that this rock is possible to be taken since you tell me that the one defending it is so weak.''

2030. Alexander sent Oxyartes to Sisimithres to immediately demand him to surrender with his mother, children and all that were dear to him. Sisimithres surrendered immediately. Alexander with 500 of his silver targeteers, went up into the rock to view its situation and strength. When he had offered sacrifices to Minerva and Victoria, he left Sisimithres as the governor of that fort and the surrounding country as he was before. Alexander gave him hope of a greater dominion, if he performed well and faithfully in this command. At Sisimithres' request, Alexander took along his two sons to serve Alexander in the wars.

2031. He left his Macedonian squadron to capture the other places which had revolted from him. He advanced with his cavalry up a steep and a rocky way. He had not gone far, but all his cavalry horses were exhausted by the journey and could not follow him any further. Each day, his company became fewer and fewer. Also the young gallants who never wished to be far from him, stayed behind all except Philip, the brother of Lysimachus. He was wearing his full body armour and other arms, an incredible thing to do. Although he was on foot, he kept up with the king for over 60 miles, although the king rode and often changed his horse. They came into a woods where the enemy attacked the king. Philip stepped between them and rescued Alexander from that danger. The barbarians were routed and the woods cleared of them. When they were gone, Philip fainted from over exertion and fell down between the king's own hands and died. No sooner had this happened then Alexander was told that Erigyius, was one of his greatest captains, was killed. He had both their funerals to be observed with all the honour that might be given them.

2032. Spitamenes with a rabble of 3000 wild Scythians who followed him, came to Gabae. It was a strong town of the Sogdians that was located between the Sogdians and the Massagetae. He easily persuaded them to join with him and to plunder the country of the Sogdians. When Coenus heard of his coming, he attacked him with his army and killed 800 of them. He lost only 25 of his cavalry and 12 of his foot soldiers. The Sogdians who escaped along with some Bactrians, deserted Spitamenes on the way and surrendered to Coenus.

2033. When the Massageraean Scythians saw how poorly things went, they plundered all the carriages of the Bactrians and Sogdians and accompanied Spitamenes into the deserts of Scythia. He heard that Alexander came after them and planned to follow them into those very deserts. They decapitated Spitamenes and sent his head to Alexander and hoped by this to make him stop chasing them. (Arrian. l. 4.) However, Curtius, (l. 8. c. 8.) writes, that when Alexander was not far off, Spitamenes' own wife met him with her husband's head in her hand. When he saw it he abhorred the sight and had her put out of the camp least the foulness of such an act might corrupt his Greeks with these barbarian ways.

2034. When the Dahae heard what had become of Spitamenes, they took Dataphernes the principal author of that revolt and delivered him bound to Alexander. They submitted to Alexander. Coenus, Craterus with Phrataphernes, governor of the Parthians and Stasanor governor of the Arians returned to Alexander at Nautaca when they had completed their missions.

3676b AM, 4386 JP, 328 BC

2035. Alexander rested his army at Nautaca because it was now the middle of winter. Arrian expresses this, "in the strength of winter". He thought about how to avenge the soldiers wrongs, which they had suffered through the pride and avarice of their officers. Thereupon he ordered Phrataphernes to go into to Hircania and the countries of the Mardi and Tapuri. He wanted him to bring Phradates who was the governor there. Alexander had often sent for him based on complaints he received, but he would not come. Phrataphernes was to bring him to Alexander under a sufficient guard.

2036. He removed Arsanes from the government of the Drangi and put Stasanor in his place. Arsace, (according to Curtius) or Atropates (according to Arrian) was made governor over Media to replace Oxidates. The king thought that Oxidates was not loyal to him. The province of Babylon, after the death of Mazaens was committed to Deditamenes, or, to Stamines (according to Arrian). Sopolis and Epocillus and Menedas, were sent into Macedonia to bring him a fresh supply of soldiers from there.

[Soldier4Christ]

 2037. Three months after this, he started to march into a country called Gabaza. The third day into the journey, there was a dreadful storm and it was extremely cold. His whole army was in danger of perishing in this storm. Curtius, (l. 8. c. 4.) describes this event in great detail. He tells of the fierceness of the storm and the king's fortitude in enduring it. He showed his wisdom and humanity in keeping the army together and comforting the poor weather-beaten soldiers in that distress. However, about 2000 perished of the poorer sort of soldiers, the support personal and hangers on. Curtius adds further, that which is recorded by Valerius Maximus, (l. 5. c. 1. and by Julius Frontinus, l. 4. Stratag. c. 6.). While Alexander was warming himself at a fire, a common soldier of the Macedonians, half frozen with cold and benumbed in his wits no less than in his limbs, pushed his way to his fire. Alexander took him and set him down in his own chair and told him that would be for his good. In Persia, anyone who sat in the king's chair was executed.

2038. The next day, he called his friends and captains together, he made a proclamation that whatever any man had lost in that storm, he would personally make it good again to him. This he did to the smallest detail. For example, Sisimithres had brought along with him many beasts of burden, draught animals, 2000 camels, whole flocks of sheep and herds of beasts. These were distributed among the army. These compensated them for their losses and saved them from the famine. Thereupon the king, declaring publicly how much he was beholding to Sisimithres for that courtesy. He ordered every soldier to take 8 days' of food with him. They went to capture the Sacae who had revolted from him. When they had gathered all the spoil of that country, Alexander gave Sisimithres from the spoil 30,000 head of cattle.

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2039. Alexander married Roxane, the daughter of Oxyartes. Strabo reports this to have been done in the rock or fort of Sisimithres when it was first surrendered to him. (l. 15.) Many of his Macedonians followed Alexanders' example and married foreign wives from the more illustrious families of the foreign countries. (Diod. Sic. l. 17. in several chapters)

2040. Now he thought wholly about the war on India. So that everything would be safe and quiet behind him, he conscripted from every province, 30,000 men, whom he planned to take with him into India. They would serve as soldiers and for pledges of their fidelity whom he left behind. He moved into Bactria and he sent Craterus with 600 of his fellow cavaliers, his own foot soldiers with the regiments under Polysperchon, Attalus and Alcaetas. They were to pursue Anstanes and Catanes who only remained of the rebels of Paratacene. There was a great battle fought between them. Catanes was killed and Austaces was taken prisoner and brought alive to Alexander. The Greeks lost 150 cavalry and about 1500 foot soldiers. After this Craterus went into Bactria and Polysperchon subdued the country of Bubacene for the king.

2041. Alexander assumed divinity and affirmed that he was the son of Jupiter. He was no longer to be addressed in the Macedonian custom but would be adored with prostration after the fashion of the Persian kings. There were plenty of court flatterers to feed this desire of Alexander. These are the curse of all kings and by whose tongues more kings have perished than by the sword of their enemies. (Curt. l. 8. c. 5.) The main ones around Alexander were Agis of Argos, the worst flatterer that ever was after Choerilus. There was Cleo of Sicilia and Anaxarchus, an orator. Calisthenes, an honest philosopher and a scholar of Aristotle opposed Alexander in this and he paid for it with his life.

2042. Hermolaus was a gallant youth and one of the king's company of pages, and instructed in the basics of philosophy by Calisthenes. He was once hunting with the king and slew a boar which the king had aimed at. Upon this, the king commanded him to be taken away and whipped. The youth took this badly and started a conspiracy to kill Alexander. First he conspired with Sopater, the son of Amyntas, a youth like himself the same rank. Then he conspired with Antipater, the son of Asclepiodorus, governor of Syria and others of the same company of pages. When the conspiracy was exposed by Epimenes one of the conspirators, they were all executed and Epimenes was rewarded. Alexander in his letters to Craterus, Alcetas and Attalus, written at that time stated that they had confessed that the conspiracy was among themselves only without the encouragement of anyone else. However, in another letter written later to Calisthenes, he charges him as being the author of it and he observes that Aristotle, whose first cousin was mother to Calisthenes states:

``The youths indeed were stoned to death by the Macedonians but that orator I myself will punish and those who sent him and any who received them that conspire against me into their towns.''

2043. When he had seized Calisthenes, he kept him in irons for 7 months to have him judged and condemned in a court of justice when Aristotle would be present. Chares the Mitilenian tells us that when Alexander was in the country of the Mallians and Oxydracans in India, he was recovering from a wound received in a fight. 17 months had passed since the conspiracy. Calisthenes who was a fat man, became sick of the Pthiriasis, or lowsie disease and died of it. However, Aristobulus and Ptolemy state that the pages confessed upon the rack that Calisthenes had put them up to it. Again, the same Ptolemy says that Calisthenes was first racked and later hanged. However, Aristobulus says that he was carried about with the army in chains and so died. So we see that these great authors and who were present in the army and waited on Alexander at the very time when these things happened do not agree with each other. However, there is no doubt about the time when this happened.

2044. Alexander left Amyntas in Bactria with 3500 cavalry and 10,000 foot soldiers. Toward the middle of spring (according to Arrian) Alexander moved with his army from there toward India to make the ocean and utmost border of the east, the boundary of his empire. He prepared his army in their attire for this great plan of his. He had all their shields covered with silver plate and their horse bridles made of beaten gold. Their very body armour he had enriched with gold or silver. He had 120,000 men with him on the Indian expedition.

2045. Alexander crossed the Caucasus Mountains in 10 days and came to his city of Alexandria which he had built in Paropanisus. He replaced its governor for his bad behaviour and relocated more people into his new city from the neighbouring countries. Any Macedonians who were unserviceable for the war were allowed to live here. He made Nicanor, governor of the city and made Tyriaspes commander of the whole region of Paropamisus and of all that territory as far as the river Cophene.

2046. From there he went to the city of Nicaea and sacrificed to Minerva. He then marched to the river of Cophene and sent an herald who ordered Taxiles and the rest of the governors of the countries lying between Cophene and the Indus River to come to him.

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2047. Taxiles and other petty kings under his government came and met Alexander. They received his orders and told him that he was now the 3rd son of Jupiter that had come into those parts. They had only heard of Father Bacchus and Hercules but they were happy to see him now personally present among them. They therefore brought him rich presents and promised him to send 25 elephants. Alexander entertained them very graciously and asked them to go with him to be his guides through the passes of that country.

2048. When he saw that no one else came, he divided his army and sent Hephaestion and Perdiccas into the country called Pencelaotis toward the river Indus. The armies led by Gorgias, Clitus and Meleager and half the company of his fellow cavaliers and all the mercenary cavalry were told to capture any town they found by any means. When they came to the bank of the Indus River, they should start building boats to cross over it into further countries. Taxiles was sent with them and other commanders of those parts.

2049. The governor of the country of Peucelaitis revolted and died in the city which he resorted to. Hephaestion came and besieged it and after a month's time took and sacked it. The governor was killed and Sangaeus was made governor of it. Before Sangaeus had defected from Astes had fled to Taxiles. This act helped Alexander trust him all the more.

2050. Alexander, with his troop of silver targeteers, the cavalry of his fellow cavaliers, Hephaestion with the troop of those who were called Assateri, his archers, Agrians and javelin man, marched into the country of the Aspians, Thyraeans and Arasocans. He journeyed to the Choes River. This way was mostly mountainous and rocky. When he crossed that river, he commanded Craterus to come after him with the foot soldiers. He took the whole body of his cavalry and 800 Macedonians, targeteers on horseback and marched quickly away. He had heard that the people of that country had fled, some to the mountains and others to fortified cities. They all planned to fight with him.

2051. Those who came to oppose him, Alexander easily routed and drove them back into the town by the way they came out. He easily defeated the townsmen, who stood all in battle array before their walls and made them take refuge within their walls again. Craterus came with the foot soldiers. Therefore to strike the greatest terror into the minds of a nation which did not know what manner of men the Macedonians were, he ordered the army to spare no life. They set fire to the outer works which they had made. As Alexander rode about the walls, an arrow wounded him through his armour into the shoulder but it was a minor wound. Ptolemy and Leonatas were both wounded at the same time. Then Alexander saw a place where the wall was the weakest. He pitched his camp against it. Early the next day in the morning, he easily took the outer wall which was of no great strength. At the inner wall, the inhabitants made some resistance. When the Macedonians had scaled the walls and the townsmen felt the arrows showering down upon them, the soldiers within broke out of the gates and ran every which way to the nearby mountains. Many of them escaped and saved themselves there. The Macedonians followed them and overtook and slew the greater number of them. The townsmen that were left behind, were all killed and the city levelled to the ground.

2052. After Alexander had subdued another weak country, he advanced to the city Nisa. It was located at the foot of a hill called Meros and was said to have been built in old times by Bacchus. By the entreaty of Acuphis, the chief man of the place, who was sent to him with 30 other leaders, he spared the inhabitants of Nisa. They were only commanded to give him 300 horses. When this was done, he restored their freedom and allowed them to live after their own laws and made Acuphis governor of the city and the province of Nisa. Alexander took Acuphis' son and grandchild for hostages. He sacrificed there to Bacchus under the name of Dionysius. He made merry and feasted his friends and all his Macedonians. They wore garlands of ivy on their heads and sang praises to Dionysius with all his titles and names.

''Calling him Bacchus, Bromius and Lyaus,
Born of the fire, twice born and not like others,
But the only one that ever had two mothers.''

2053. Ovid speaks of him in like manner although on a different occasion. (Ovid l. 4 Metamorph.) See also Philostratus in Vita Apollonii, (l. 2. c. 4.)

2054. From there he went to a country called Dadala. All the inhabitants had fled to the woods and mountains. Therefore he went through Acadera which was also deserted by the inhabitants.

2055. When the city Ardacena surrendered, he left Craterus there with other commanders of the foot soldiers. They were to capture places that did not voluntarily surrender and to order matters there as they saw fit.

2056. Alexander with his silver targeteers and his squadron of Agrians and Caenus and Attalus their brigades and the body of his own cavalry and at most four companies of his fellow cavaliers and the one half of his archers on horseback, went to the river of Euaspla. Here the governor of the Aspians was. After a long journey, the 2nd day he came with his army to a city called Arigaeum. As soon as the inhabitants heard that he was coming, they set their city on fire and fled to the mountains. The Macedonians chased them and slew a vast number of them. Ptolemy killed their captain in hand to hand combat and brought his armour with him.

2057. Alexander came with his foot soldiers which rode on horse back. They got off their horses and attacked the natives. After a long skirmish, the natives were forced to flee for refuge to the mountains. Craterus came to Alexander with the main body of the army when he had fully completed the task he was sent on. Alexander commanded him to rebuild Arigaeum which the inhabitants had burnt and to repopulate it with the people from the nearby places who wanted to live there and with those Macedonians who were no longer fit for military service. Alexander went to the place where he heard that natives had fled to. When he came to the foot of a mountain, he pitched his camp there.

2058. Meanwhile Ptolemy, who was sent foraging, went further on with a small troop to discover what was ahead. He sent word back to Alexander that there seemed to be more fires in the enemy's camp than there were in Alexander's camp. Thereupon Alexander left part of his army in the camp and went with the rest to view those fires for himself. When he had examined the situation well, he divided the company which he brought with him into three parts. One part he gave to Leonatus, one of the captains of his bodyguard with the brigade of Attalus and Balaerus. The second one he ordered Ptolemy to take charge of. He gave him a third part of his own Argyraspides or silver targeteers, the brigade of Philip and Philoras with 2000 archers, all the Agrians and half of the whole cavalry. The third part he led himself to a place where he saw was the largest number of the enemy. The enemy had confidence in their numbers and supposed the Macedonians to be but few in number. They left the mountain and came down into the plain. After a bloody battle was fought, the Macedonians won. Ptolemy, who led one of the three brigades of Macedonians, reports, that there were taken in the that fight, almost 40,000 prisoners and more than 230,000 cattle. Alexander selected the best of the cattle and sent them back to Macedon, to breed there for the tillage of the ground.

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2059. From there Alexander went into the country of the Assacenians who were said to have mustered 1000 cavalry, 3000 foot soldiers and 30 elephants to fight with him. It was said also, that Assacenus, (which as it seems, was the common name which all their kings went by) recently died. His mother Cleophis, commanded all that force.

2060. When Craterus had finished rebuilding the city, Arigaeum, he brought all his heavily armed foot soldiers to Alexander with battering rams and other equipment for a siege, if it was required. Alexander advanced with the cavalry of his fellow cavaliers, his javelin soldiers on horseback, with Coenus' and Polysperchon's companies, with 1000 Agrians and the archers toward the Assacenoans. He marched through the country of the Guraeans and had great trouble crossing the Guraeus River. When the natives heard of his coming, they dared not fight him in one body but divided their army and dispersed themselves. Each went into the their cities and planned to make a stand there.

2061. First, Alexander went with his army to Massaga. It was the largest city of the Assacenian country and enclosed with a wall of about 4.5 miles. 30,000 men defended it which included 7000 mercenaries from the inner parts of India. These came to fight at the foot of a hill about a mile from the Guraeus River and were forced to flee back into their city when they lost about 200 men. Shortly after this, Alexander drew up his main battle line of the Macedonians before the gates of the city. He was wounded in his thigh by an arrow shot from the wall. In pain he cried out that they told him he was Jupiter's son but when he was wounded, he felt pain like any another man. He added (as Plutarch in his book of Alexander's fortune writes) that when he saw the blood running down his body he cited a saying from Homer in his 5th book of his Iliad, that this was blood indeed, but not: