alexander-第17章
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brought against him were the more easily believed； particularly that when the young man asked him what he should do to be the most illustrious person on earth； he told him the readiest way was to kill him who was already so； and that to incite him to commit the deed； he bade him not be awed by the golden couch； but remember Alexander was a man equally infirm and vulnerable as another。 However； none of Hermolaus's accomplices； in the utmost extremity； made any mention of Callisthenes's being engaged in the design。 Nay； Alexander himself； in the letters which he wrote soon after to Craterus； Attalus； and Alcetas； tells them that the young men who were put to the torture declared they had entered into the conspiracy of themselves； without any others being privy to or guilty of it。 But yet afterwards； in a letter to Antipater； he accuses Callisthenes。 〃The young men；〃 he says； 〃were stoned to death by the Macedonians； but for the sophist〃 （meaning Callisthenes）； 〃I will take care to punish him with them too who sent him to me； and who harbour those in their cities who conspire against my life；〃 an unequivocal declaration against Aristotle； in whose house Callisthenes； for his relationship's sake； being his niece Hero's son； had been educated。 His death is variously related。 Some say he was hanged by Alexander's orders； others； that he died of sickness in prison； but Chares writes he was kept in chains seven months after he was apprehended； on purpose that he might be proceeded against in full council； when Aristotle should be present； and that growing very fat； and contracting a disease of vermin； he there died； about the time that Alexander was wounded in India； in the country of the Malli Oxydracae； all which came to pass afterwards。 For to go on in order； Demaratus of Corinth； now quite an old man； had made a great effort； about this time； to pay Alexander a visit； and when he had seen him； said he pitied the misfortune of those Grecians； who were so unhappy as to die before they had beheld Alexander seated on the throne of Darius。 But he did not long enjoy the benefit of the king's kindness for him； any otherwise than that soon after falling sick and dying； he had a magnificent funeral； and the army raised him a monument of earth fourscore cubits high； and of a vast circumference。 His ashes were conveyed in a very rich chariot； drawn by four horses； to the seaside。 Alexander； now intent upon his expedition into India； took notice that his soldiers were so charged with booty that it hindered their marching。 Therefore； at break of day； as soon as the baggage wagons were laden first he set fire to his own； and to those of his friends； and then commanded those to be burnt which belonged to the rest of the army。 An act which in the deliberation of it had seemed more dangerous and difficult than it proved in the execution； with which few were dissatisfied for most of the soldiers； as if they had been inspired； uttering loud outcries and warlike shoutings； supplied one another with what was absolutely necessary； and burnt and destroyed all that was superfluous； the sight of which redoubled Alexander's zeal and eagerness for his design。 And； indeed； he was now grown very severe and inexorable in punishing those who committed any fault。 For he put Menander； one of his friends； to death for deserting a fortress where he had placed him in garrison； and shot Orsodates； one of the barbarians who revolted from him； with his own hand。 At this time a sheep happened to yean a lamb； with the perfect shape and colour of a tiara upon the head； and testicles on each side； which portent Alexander regarded with such dislike； that he immediately caused his Babylonian priests； whom he usually carried about with him for such purposes； to purify him； and told his friends he was not so much concerned for his own sake as for theirs； out of an apprehension that after his death the divine power might suffer his empire to fall into the hands of some degenerate； impotent person。 But this fear was soon removed by a wonderful thing that happened not long after； and was thought to presage better。 For Proxenus； a Macedonian； who was the chief of those who looked to the king's furniture； as he was breaking up the ground near the river Oxus； to set up the royal pavilion； discovered a spring of a fat oily liquor； which； after the top was taken off； ran pure； clear oil； without any difference either of taste or smell； having exactly the same smoothness and brightness； and that； too； in a country where no olives grew。 The water； indeed； of the river Oxus； is said to be the smoothest to the feeling of all waters； and to leave a gloss on the skins of those who bathe themselves in it。 Whatever might be the cause； certain it is that Alexander was wonderfully pleased with it； as appears by his letters to Antipater； where he speaks of it as one of the most remarkable presages that God had ever favoured him with。 The diviners told him it signified his expedition would be glorious in the event； but very painful and attended with many difficulties； for oil； they said； was bestowed on mankind by God as a refreshment of their labours。 Nor did they judge amiss； for he exposed himself to many hazards in the battles which he fought； and received very severe wounds； but the greatest loss in his army was occasioned through the unwholesomeness of the air and the want of necessary provisions。 But he still applied himself to overcome fortune and whatever opposed him； by resolution and virtue； and thought nothing impossible to true intrepidity； and on the other hand nothing secure or strong for cowardice。 It is told of him that when he besieged Sisimithres； who held an inaccessible； impregnable rock against him； and his soldiers began to despair of taking it； he asked Oxyartes whether Sisimithres was a man of courage； who assuring him he was the greatest coward alive； 〃Then you tell me；〃 said he； 〃that the place may easily be taken； since what is in command of it is weak。〃 And in a little time he so terrified Sisimithres that he took it without any difficulty。 At an attack which he made upon such another precipitous place with some of his Macedonian soldiers； he called to one whose name was Alexander； and told him he at any rate must fight bravely if it were but for his name's sake。 The youth fought gallantly and was killed in the action； at which he was sensibly afflicted。 Another time； seeing his men march slowly and unwillingly to the siege of the place called Nysa； because of a deep river between them and the town； he advanced before them； and standing upon the bank； 〃What a miserable man；〃 said he； 〃am I； that I have not learned to swim！〃 and then was hardly dissuaded from endeavouring to pass it upon his shield。 Here； after the assault was over； the ambassadors who from several towns which he had blocked up came to submit to him and make their peace； were surprised to find him still in his armour； without any one in waiting or attendance upon him； and when at last some one brought him a cushion； he made the eldest of them； named Acuphis； take it and sit down upon it。 The old man； marvelling at his magnanimity and courtesy； asked him what his countrymen should do to merit his friendship。 〃I would have them；〃 said Alexander； 〃choose you to govern them； and send one hundred of the most worthy men among them to remain with me as hostages。〃 Acuphis laughed and answered； 〃I shall govern them with more ease； sir； if I send you so many of the worst； rather than the best of my subjects。〃 The extent of King Taxiles's dominions in India was thought to be as large as Egypt； abounding in good pastures； and producing beautiful fruits。 The king himself had the reputation of a wise man； and at his first interview with Alexander he spoke to him in these terms： 〃To what purpose；〃 said he； 〃should we make war upon one another； if the design of your coming into these parts be not to rob us of our water or our necessary food； which are the only things that wise men are indispensably obliged to fight for？ As for other riches and possessions； as they are accounted in the eye of the world； if I am better provided of them than you； I am ready to let you share with me； but if fortune has been more liberal
