singulis ad spem salutis ipsos proficere credentibus,1 quantum itineris festinando praeciperent. Igitur qui defecerant notos ignotosque ut allevarentur orabant: sed nec jumenta erant, quibus excipi possent, et miles vix arma portabat, imminentisque et ipsis facies mali ante oculos erat. Ergo saepius revocati, ne respicere quidem suos sustinebant, misericordia in formidinem versa. Ill relicti deos testes, et sacra communia, regisque implorabant opem, cumque frustra surdas aures fatigarent, in rabiem desperatione versi parem suo exitum, similesque ipsis amicos et contubernales precabantur.

41. Rex, dolore simul ac pudore anxius, quia causa tantae cladis ipse esset, ad Phrataphernen Parthyaeorum satrapen misit, qui juberet camelis cocta cibaria afferre: alios finitimarum regionum praefectos certiores necessitatis suae fecit. Nec cessatum est ab his. Itaque fame dumtaxat3 vindicatus exercitus tandem in Cedrosiae fines perducitur. Omnium rerum sola fertilis regio est, in qua stativa habuit, ut vexatos milites quiete firmaret. Hic Leonnati litteras accepit, conflixisse ipsum cum octo milibus peditum et trecentis equitibus Horitarum prospero eventu. A Cratero quoque nuntius venit, Ozinen et Zariaspem, nobiles Persas, defectionem molientes oppressos a se, in vinculis esse. Praeposito igitur regioni Sibyrtio (namque Menon praefectus ejus nuper interierat morbo), in Carmaniam ipse processit. Aspastes erat satrapes gentis, suspectus res novare voluisse, dum in India rex est.5 Quem occurrentem, dissimulata ira comiter allocutus, dum exploraret quae delata erant, in eodem honore habuit.

42. Cum inde praefecti, sicut imperatum erat, equorum jumentorumque jugalium vim ingentem ex omni, quae sub imperio erat, regione misissent, quibus deerant impedimenta, restituit. Arma quoque ad pristinum refecta sunt cultum: quippe haud procul a Perside aberant, non pacata modo, sed etiam opulenta. Igitur, ut supra dictum est, aemulatus Patris Liberi non gloriam solum, quam ex illis gentibus de

1

'All (every single person) believing that the further they advanced, the nearer they were coming to any hope of safety.'

2'And the image of the calamity, which threatened themselves also was hovering before their eyes.'

As to the use of the adverb dumtaxat, see Zumpt, § 274.

This is the only district (on the coast of the Indian Sea) which

is fertile in all things.'

As to dum with the present tense, see Gram. § 332, note.
For dum with the subjunctive, see Gram. § 356.

Beasts of burthen trained to,' or 'able to bear the yoke,' quae

jugum ferre poterant.

portaverat, sed etiam famam, sive illud triumphus fuit ab eo primum institutus,' sive bacchantium lusus, statuit imitari, animo super humanum fastigium elato. Vicos, per quos iter erat, floribus coronisque sterni jubet, liminibus aedium crateras vino repletas2 et alia eximiae magnitudinis vasa disponi; vehicula deinde constrata, ut plures capere milites possent, in tabernaculorum modum ornari, alia candidis velis, alia veste pretiosa. Primi ibant amici et cohors regia, variis redimita floribus coronisque alibi tibicinum cantus, alibi lyrae sonus audiebatur: item in vehiculis pro copia cujusque adornatis comissa bundus exercitus, armis, quae maxime decora erant, circumpendentibus. Ipsum convivasque currus vehebat, crateris aureis ejusdemque materiae ingentibus poculis praegravis. Hoc modo per dies septem bacchabundum agmen incessit, parata praeda, si quid victis saltem adversus comissantes animi fuisset: mille hercule, viri modo et sobrii, septem dierum crapula graves in suo triumpho capere potuerunt. Sed fortuna, quae rebus famam pretiumque constituit, hoc quoque militiae probrum vertit in gloriam. Et praesens aetas et posteritas deinde mirata est, per gentes nondum satis domitas incessisse temulentos, barbaris, quod temeritas erat, fiduciam esse credentibus. Hunc apparatum carnifex sequebatur: quippe satrapes Aspastes, de quo ante dictum est, interfici jussus est. Adeo nec luxuriae quicquam crudelitas,

nec crudelitati luxuria obstat.

The author here expresses an opinion that the triumphus peculiar to the Romans was originally a march of bacchantes and instituted by Bacchus.

2 There are two forms-crater-eris, masc.; and cratera-ae, fem. Overlaid;' namely, with boards.

An instance of ev dià dvoir, garlands of flowers.' See Zumpt, $741.

Somewhat stronger than comissans. See note, v. 23.

6

This disgrace of the military service.' There can be no question that Curtius judges too harshly here. After the terrible sufferings of the march through the desert, something extraordinary was required to drive from the remembrance of the soldiers their recent miseries.

LIBER X.

(1) DURING Alexander's stay in Carmania, he institutes a judicial examination into the conduct of Cleander and his confederates in Media. (2) Nearchus brings him an account of his voyage out into the Indian Ocean, and is sent back to the fleet. (3) Alexander forms extensive plans for expeditions by sea, and in order to carry them into effect, directs ships to be built on the Euphrates. (4) He arrives at Persagada. Orsines, the wealthy satrap of Persia, brings rich presents to the king and his friends, passing over, however, the eunuch Bagoas, who on that account calumniates him to Alexander (5), and in particular accuses him of having robbed the tomb of Cyrus. Alexander, whose natural clemency is now in a great measure gone, condemns the satrap unheard. (6) Intelligence comes from Greece of the events which have occurred during Alexander's absence in India. (Here there is a gap. The part lost contained an account of the occurrences in Greece, then of Alexander's march to Susa, of his feasts given for the fraternisation of the Macedonians and Persians, of the prodigality of Harpalus, Alexander's satrap in Babylon, and of his flight to Greece with the treasures intrusted to his charge.) (7) Alexander meditates making war upon Athens, to which Harpalus has fled; but he receives information that the fugitive has been expelled from Athens, and slain in Crete by his own people. He accordingly gives up his purpose of attacking Athens, but (July, 324, B. c.) issues orders to all the states of Greece to take back their exiles. The Athenians alone disobey this command. (8) Alexander sends home the greater part of his army, after paying the debts of all the soldiers. He retains only 15,000 men. (9) The king's purpose to remain in Asia excites a violent mutiny among the Macedonians, who demand that they shall all be allowed to return home, and cannot be appeased. (10) Alexander, in a speech of great severity, dismisses them from the service. (11) He seizes with his own hands several of the ringleaders, and orders them to be punished. The riot gives place to a sudden repentance, but the king is inexorable. (12) He summons around him the new Asiatic soldiers, and, through an interpreter, delivers to them a gracious speech. (13) This reduces the Macedonians to despair, and they offer to submit patiently to any punishment, however severe. (Here the last great gap occurs. Alexander gains his point. 10,000 Macedonian veterans are sent back to Europe, under the command of Craterus and Polysperchon. Alexander advances into Media. His dearest friend, Hephaestion, dies in Ecbatana. The king mourns

greatly for him, and buries him in Babylon with extraordinary magnificence. In the same city Alexander himself is seized with fever, and when near death) (14) he allows all the soldiers to pass along by his bed, gives his signet-ring to Perdiccas, says a few words to his friends, and expires (June 11, 323 B. C.). (15, 16) The deep impression made by Alexander's death upon the Macedonians, Persians, and inhabitants of Babylon is described. (17) Sisygambis, though she had survived Darius, cannot bear this shock, and commits suicide. (18) The author gives a comprehensive view of the character of Alexander, representing his excellencies as the gifts of nature, and excusing his errors and faults upon the ground of his youth and high position. (19) In the assembly of the generals, into which many of the common soldiers also intrude, Perdiccas presents the question for decision, Who is to hold the reins of government till Alexander's son, who is hoped for from Roxane, shall have grown up? (20) Nearchus proposes to raise Alexander's illegitimate son by Barsine to the throne; but all are opposed to this. Ptolemy's suggestion, that Alexander's council of war should govern, is approved of by some. Aristonus recommends Perdiccas for the royal dignity, but he hesitates to grasp at what is offered him. (21) Meleager speaks with violence against Perdiccas, and calls upon the soldiers to make themselves masters of the royal treasures. (22) An unknown person supports the claims of Arrhidaeus, Alexander's half-brother. Pithon in vain opposes this; the majority approve of the proposal; and Meleager leads in Arrhidaeus, henceforward called Philip. (23) The chiefs resolve that the yet unborn son of Alexander shall be king, Perdiccas and Leonnatus regents in Asia: on the other hand, Meleager and the infantry proclaim Philip king. (24) A fight ensues in the chamber where Alexander's body is lying. After it is finished, the cavalry take the side of Perdiccas. (25) At the instigation of Meleager, Perdiccas, who has remained in Babylon, is to be put to death; but he frightens back the assassins, and joins himself to the cavalry outside the city. (26) Alarm seizes the minds of all; the cavalry blockade the city. (27) Ambassadors are sent to the cavalry: Philip himself interposes. It is agreed that Philip shall be king along with Alexander's son, and that Meleager shall be added to Perdiccas and Leonnatus as a third regent. (28) The one great empire is coming near to its dissolution, since it is to be ruled by several persons. Perdiccas is desirous to free himself of Meleager. He first induces in him a feeling of security, and then appoints a review, at which Meleager expects his enemies to be punished. (29) But on the contrary Philip, on the advice of Perdiccas, orders 300 factious persons of Meleager's party to be executed. Meleager himself is next put to death. (30) The provinces are divided according to a common agreement. (31) After seven days, arrangements are made as to the disposal of Alexander's body. The report is spread that he

had been poisoned by Iollas, the son of Antipater. The embalmed body is taken by Ptolemy to Memphis, and afterwards to Alexandria, where all honour is paid to it.

nec

IISDEM fere diebus Cleander et Sitalces et cum Agathone Heracon superveniunt, qui Parmenionem jussu regis occiderant, quinque milia peditum cum equitibus mille. Sed et accusatores eos e provincia, cui praefuerant, sequebantur; tot facinora, quot admiserant, compensare poterant caedis perquam gratae regi ministerio. Quippe cum omnia profana spoliassent, ne sacris quidem abstinuerant,2 virginesque et principes feminarum, stupra perpessae, corporum ludibria deflebant. Invisum Macedonum nomen avaritia eorum ac libido barbaris fecerat. Inter omnes tamen eminebat Cleandri furor, qui nobilem virginem constupratam servo suo pellicem dederat. Plerique amicorum Alexandri non tam criminum, quae palam objiciebantur, atrocitatem, quam memoriam occisi per illos Parmenionis, quod tacitum3 prodesse reis apud regem poterat, intuebantur, laeti recidisse iram in irae ministros, nec ullam potentiam scelere quaesitam cuiquam esse diuturnam. Rex cognita causa pronuntiavit, ab accusatoribus unum et id maximum crimen esse praeteritum, desperationem salutis suae:4 nunquam enim talia ausuros, qui ipsum ex India sospitem aut optassent reverti, aut credidissent reversurum. Igitur hos quidem vinxit, DC autem militum, qui saevitiae eorum ministri fuerant, interfici jussit. Eodem die sumptum est supplicium de iis quoque, quos auctores defectionis Persarum Craterus adduxerat.

2. Haud multo post Nearchus et Onesicritus, quos longius in Oceanum procedere jusserat, superveniunt. Nuntiabant autem quaedam audita, alia comperta: insulam ostio amnis subjectam auro abundare, inopem equorum esse: singulos eos ab iis, qui ex continenti trajicere auderent, singulis talentis emi. Plenum esse beluarum mare: aestu secundo

The number of the troops which the generals had along with them is here placed in apposition to their names.

2 Sacrum et profanum, exactly the English 'sacred and profane,' are opposed to each other quite in the same way as publicum and privatum.

36

Unmentioned.' Tacitum may be either that which does not speak,' or that which is not spoken of.'

The giving up of all expectation that he would remain alive.' For ausuros fuisse; a rare ellipsis, since usually only esse is omitted in the future infinitive active, and perfect infinitive passive. In the direct speech the sentence would have been nunquam talia ausi essent, si optassent, &c.

• The partitive genitive after numerals is not unfrequent in Curtius. See, for example, vi. 19.