LIBER IV.

(1) AFTER the battle of Issus, Darius flees across the Euphrates. Alexander commits the subjugation of Syria to Parmenio. He himself undertakes the reduction of the Phoenician cities, and comes to Marathus. (2) There he receives a haughty letter from Darius, and returns a fierce answer, retorting upon the Persians the charge of unprovoked hostility, and summoning the king to submission. (3) Byblos and Sidon surrender. The king of Sidon, a favourer of the Persians, is deposed; and Hephaestion, who is intrusted with the choice of another, considers a poor man called Abdalonymus most worthy of the dignity. (4) Abdalonymus is taken from the midst of his poverty and introduced to Alexander, who is pleased with his modesty. (5) Amyntas, a Macedonian who had deserted to Darius, crosses over with a considerable number of Greek mercenaries to Egypt, intending to make himself master of that province: he is at first successful, but is afterwards surprised and slain near Memphis by Mazaces the Persian commander. (6) In Asia Minor the Macedonian governors maintain their ground, notwithstanding several attempts of the Persians to recover the countries in the rear of Alexander. Agis, king of Sparta, in conjunction with the Persian fleet in the Aegean, endeavours to destroy the Macedonian supremacy in Greece. (7) Alexander himself, in the end of 333 B. C., marches against Tyre. The Tyrians refuse him admission into their island city. (8) They rely on its situation and strength, and are confirmed in their hopes of security by the promised aid of the Carthaginians. (9) Preparations are made, and omens observed, on both sides. The Tyrians kill the king's heralds. (10) Alexander begins to erect a mole from the mainland across the strait towards the island. (11) The Tyrians endeavour by every means to prevent this work. (12) During the absence of Alexander in Arabia, they burn the towers on the mole, and at the same time a storm destroys the whole structure. (13) Alexander builds another mole, and collects at the same time a fleet of 180 ships, (14) from which he assaults the walls; but his attempt is rendered fruitless by a storm. (15) Not being relieved by the Carthaginians, the Tyrians rest upon superstitious hopes, (16) and in their necessity devise new means of defence. (17) Alexander builds more ships. The same prodigy is interpreted by the Tyrians and Macedonians in different ways. (18) A naval battle is fought. The Tyrians are at first successful, but in the end their fleet is destroyed. (19) On the third day afterwards the city is stormed on all sides, and taken. The inhabitants refuse to submit, defend themselves in their houses, and are nearly all cut down. The Sidonians, however, save a considerable number. (20) Thus sank

the famed city of Tyre, in the seventh month of the siege, and about the middle of 332 B. C. It rose again afterwards, particularly during the peace afforded it by the Roman government. (21) Another letter arrives from Darius, in which he offers Alexander his daughter's hand in marriage, and the possession of Asia Minor as far as the Halys. Alexander refuses the offer. (22) Rhodes submits. Provincial governors are appointed. The Greek states at the Isthmian Games decree a golden crown to the king of Macedon. (23) The Macedonian fleet in the Aegean obtains possession of Chios, and Pharnabazus, the Persian commander, is taken. (24) Aristonicus, tyrant of Methymna, is taken. Mitylene surrenders. (25) In the meantime Darius is making new preparations for war, and summons to him Bessus, satrap of Bactra, though he mistrusts him. Alexander cannot obtain any knowledge of Darius's movements. (26) He lays siege to Gaza. His engines are obstructed by the nature of the ground. He wishes to storm the town, but gives up his design, in consequence of an augury. (27) He does not, however, escape a wound, of which he has been forewarned. (28) The regular siege is again prosecuted, and the town is at last taken by a breach. Alexander receives a second wound. Betis, the gallant and resolute governor of the city, is taken, maintains his proud bearing even as a captive, and is horribly treated by Alexander. (29) From Gaza Alexander goes to Egypt. He is willingly received by the natives, and the Persian garrisons surrender. Alexander is very desirous of visiting the temple of Jupiter Hammon, notwithstanding the difficulties of the journey. (30) He accordingly sails down the Nile to the lake Mareotis, and there, in the beginning of 331 B. C., commences his march across the desert. (31) The delightful oasis, the sanctuary, and the image of the god are described. (32) Alexander interrogates the oracle, and is acknowledged in the response as the son of the god; his companions, too, are directed to honour him as such. (33) Alexander, on his return, chooses out on the point of land between the island of Pharos and Lake Mareotis a site for a new city, Alexandria. He wishes ardently to see the wonders of Upper Egypt, but the war presses: he settles the government of the country, and leaves it. (34) In the passage of the Nile, Hector, the son of Parmenio, loses his life. The revolted Samaritans and other enemies are chastised. Ambassadors come to the king from several Greek states. The army leaves Syria for the Euphrates. (35) Darius assembles his troops in Babylon, arms them completely, and prepares a number of scythe-chariots. (36) He marches through Mesopotamia, crosses the Tigris, leaves a part of his baggage at Arbela, leads his army over the Lycus as far as the Bumelus, and there pitches his camp in an extensive plain. (37) Alexander crosses the Euphrates near Thapsacus, and reaches the Tigris; whilst the Persian general, Mazaeus, who has been appointed to oppose his progress, contents himself

with laying waste the country. (38) Alexander's army crosses the Tigris by a ford. Had Mazaeus attacked the Macedonians during the confusion of the passage, he might easily have destroyed them. (39) An eclipse of the moon alarms the Macedonians; but Alexander makes his Egyptian soothsayers interpret the natural appearance so as to favour his cause. (40) He marches along the right bank of the Tigris; his advanced guard follows hard upon the retreating Persians, in order to obtain provisions, which the latter are everywhere destroying. Letters from Darius to the Greeks in the Macedonian army, exciting them to treachery, are intercepted, and kept secret. (41) During this march, the captive consort of Darius dies. Alexander exhibits his grief in the most sympathising manner, and causes her to be honourably buried. (42) A eunuch of her train escapes to Darius, informs him of his queen's death, and frees him of all fear that the captives had been unbecomingly treated. (43) Darius, therefore, for the third time, proposes terms of peace to Alexander: he offers him the hand of his daughter, all the countries from the Hellespont to the Euphrates, and a ransom of 30,000 talents for the captives. (44) In the council, Parmenio advises the king to accept the terms; but Alexander refuses them, and gives, as his answer, that now a battle must decide. (45) The armies approach nearer to each other. Darius's order of battle is described. (46) A sudden and causeless fear seizes the Macedonians on their march. Alexander immediately orders them to halt, and encamp. On the following day he takes possession of a hill, which is given up by the Persian advanced guard. Here he erects another camp. (47) He calls a council of war. Parmenio advises an attack on the Persians by night. Alexander, however, declines this counsel, and appoints an open battle for the next day, October 1, 331 B. c. (48) Religious preparation of both monarchs. (49) Alexander is so free from care, as to sleep till late on the morning of the battle. Parmenio awakes him, and he rises full of confidence. (50) He arranges his order of battle, well secured on all sides; (51) and takes precautions against the scythe-chariots and sharp pieces of iron which have been scattered over a part of the field to injure the horses. (52) He encourages the different portions of his army. (53, 54, 55) Darius, in the left wing of his army, addresses his soldiers from his chariot, exhorting them to valour. (56) Alexander advances, the Persian scythe-chariots start off, and throw his ranks into disorder; some Persian cavalry attack the guard of the baggage, and appear to have the advantage. (57) The chariots are broken to pieces in assailing the Macedonian phalanx. Alexander, careless of the baggage, presses on against Darius. (58) The battle rages around the monarchs. (59) By the help of the gods, and in consequence of an error of the Persians, Alexander conquers. Darius is compelled to flee, and is pursued. (60) On the left wing of the Macedonians, Parmenio, after being hard pressed,

is at last victorious, and Mazaeus retreats. (61) The Persians flee in different directions, and endure many privations. (62) At the bridge over the Lycus Alexander halts, and turns back. He comes here into a great danger, from which only his determination delivers him. (63) Loss on both sides. Praise of the Macedonians and their king.

DAREUS tanti modo exercitus rex, qui triumphantis magis, quam dimicantis more, curru sublimis inierat proelium, per loca, quae prope immensis agminibus impleverat, jam inania et ingenti solitudine vasta fugiebat. Pauci regem sequebantur: nam nec eodem omnes fugam intenderant, et deficientibus equis cursum eorum, quos rex subinde mutabat, aequare non poterant. Onchas1 dein pervenit, ubi excepere eum Graecorum quattuor milia, quibuscum ad Euphraten contendit, id demum credens fore ipsius, quod celeritate praecipere potuisset. At Alexander Parmenionem, per quem apud Damascum recepta erat praeda, jussum eam ipsam et captivos diligenti asservare custodia, Syriae, quam Coelen vocant,2 praefecit. Novum imperium Syri, nondum belli cladibus satis domiti, aspernabantur: sed celeriter subacti obedienter imperata fecerunt. Aradus quoque insula deditur regi. Meritimam tum oram et pleraque longius etiam a mari recedentia rex ejus insulae Strato possidebat: quo in fidem accepto, castra movit ad urbem Marathon.

2. Ibi illi litterae a Dareo redduntur, quibus ut superbe scriptis vehementer offensus est. Praecipue eum movit, quod Dareus sibi regis titulum, nec eundem Alexandri nomini adscripserat. Postulabat autem magis quam petebat, ut accepta pecunia, quantamcunque tota Macedonia caperet, matrem sibi et conjugem liberosque restitueret: de regno aequo, si vellet, Marte contenderet. Si saniora con

A place unknown to us. It must have been situated between the Amanic gate and the town of Thapsacus.

2 Hollow Syria (Coelesyria) is, in its more limited sense, the country between the ranges of Libanus and Anti-Libanus, in which are situated Baalbek (Heliopolis) and Damascus ; in its wider signification, it comprehends the whole of Northern Syria, in opposition to the sea-coast of Phoenicia and Palestine and the high country of Judaea. The principal river is the Orontes, on which were situated the celebrated cities of Apamea and Antiochia. These towns, however, did not exist in the time of Alexander, at least not under the same names.

Aradus was the most northerly town of the Phoenicians. It was situated on a small rocky island. Marathos lies on the mainland opposite, and along with Aradus, was under the government of Strato, who had probably sent his submission to Alexander, while he was on his march.

Mars is the personification of war: aequo Marte, with equal

silia tandem pati potuisset, contentus patrio, cederet alieni imperii finibus: socius amicusque esset. In ea se fidem et dare paratum et accipere. Contra Alexander in hunc maxime modum rescripsit: Rex Alexander Dareo. Cujus nomen sumpsisti, Dareus' Graecos, qui oram Hellesponti tenent, coloniasque Graecorum Ionias, omni clade vastavit, cum magno deinde exercitu mare trajecit, illato Macedoniae et Graeciae bello. Rursus Xerxes gentis ejusdem, ad oppugnandos nos cum immanium barbarorum copiis venit: qui navali proelio victus, Mardonium tamen reliquit in Graecia, ut absens quoque popularetur urbes, agros ureret. Philippum vero parentem meum quis ignorat ab his interfectum esse, quos ingentis pecuniae spe sollicitaverant vestri 22 Impia enim bella suscipitis, et cum habeatis arma, licemini hostium capita: sicut tu proxime talentis mille, tanti exercitus rex, percussorem in me emere voluisti. Repello igitur bellum, non infero. Et Dii quoque pro meliore stant causa; magnam partem Asiae in dicionem redegi meam, te ipsum acie vici. Quem etsi nihil a me impetrare oportebat, utpote qui1 ne belli quidem in me jura servaveris, tamen, si veneris supplex, et matrem et conjugem et liberos sine pretio recepturum esse promitto. Et vincere et consulere victis scio. Quod si te committere nobis times, dabimus fidem, impune venturum. De cetero, cum mihi scribes, memento non advantages of every kind.' Darius alludes to the fact that at Issus he had fought at a disadvantage, on account of the narrow nature of his ground.

6

That Darius, namely, who, in order to distinguish him from Alexander's opponent, Dareus Codomanus, is known as Dareus Hystaspis filius. Alexander says in his letter that his opponent had assumed the name of one of his predecessors. It was quite allowable, because the designations by which we know the Persian kings were not proper names, but titles of honour: for example, Cyrus, before coming to the throne, was called Agradatus. He afterwards received the title of Koresch; that is 'Sun.'

2 Impartial history denies that Philip's murderers were bribed: private resentment led them to the act. Alexander, however, had some measure of justice in this accusation, because it is certain that Persian gold was lavishly spent in Greece against the king of Macedon; and even though the murderers were not bribed, they could at least rely on protection and reward from the Persian govern

ment.

3 Licere, with the accusative, signifies to bid for something,' as at an auction.

5

Utpote qui, because thou.' See Zumpt, $ 565.

Supply te out of the preceding si veneris; and a little after, supply it to venturum, out of te committere. These pronouns are usually repeated.

The infinitive with timere. See Gram. § 352, note 2.