Memnon,
planted in him by the researches of Aristotle.
planted in him by the researches of Aristotle.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - a
xxii.
9.
) [L.
S.
)
risees seized the opportunity thus afforded, and ALEXANDER ('Alétavbpos), surnamed Lich-
broke out into open revolt. At first they were NUS (Aúxvos), a Greek rhetorician and poet. He
successful, and Alexander was compelled to fly to was a native of Ephesus, whence he is sometimes
ransom.
## p. 118 (#138) ############################################
118
ALEXANDER.
ALEXANDER
called Alexander Ephesius, and must have lived to Darius, Amyntas was still reigning. At a ban-
shortly before the time of Strabo (xiv. p. 642), quet given to the Persian envoys, the latter de
who mentions him among the more recent Ephesian inanded the presence of the ladies of the court, and
authors, and also states, that he took a part in the Amyntas, through fear of his guests, ordered them
political affairs of his native city. Strabo ascribes to attend. But when the Persians proceeded to
to him a history, and poems of a didactic kind, offer indignities to them, Alexander caused them
viz. one on astronomy and another on geography, to retire, under pretence of arraying them more
in which he describes the great continents of the beautifully, and introduced in their stead some
world, treating of each in a separate work or book, Macedonian youths, dressed in female attire, who
which, as we learn from other sources, bore the slew the Persians. As the Persians did not re-
name of the continent of which it contained an turn, Megabazus sent Bubares with some troops
account. What kind of history it was that Strabo into Macedonia ; but Alexander escaped the dan-
alludes to, is uncertain. The so-called Aurelius ger by giving his sister Gygaea in marriage to the
Victor (de Orig. Gent. Rom. 9) quotes, it is true, Persian general. According to Justin, Alexander
the first book of a history of the Marsic war by succeeded his father in the kingdom soon after
Alexander the Ephesian; but this authority is these events. (Herod. v. 17-21, viii. 136 ;
more than doubtful. Some writers have supposed Justin, vii. 244. ) In B. C. 492, Macedonia
that this Alexander is the author of the history of was obliged to submit to the Persian general Mar-
the succession of Greek philosophers (ai Twv Qida donius (Herod. vi. 44); and in Xerxes' invasion
obowy Sladoxal), which is so often referred to by of Greece (B. C. 480), Alexander accompanied the
Diogenes Laertius (i. 116, ii. 19, 106, iii. 4, 5, Persian army. He gained the confidence of Mar-
iv. 62, vii. 179, viii. 24, ix. 61); but this work donius, and was sent by him to Athens after the
belonged probably to Alexander Polyhistor. His battle of Salamis, to propose peace to the Athe-
geographical poem, of which several fragments are nians, which he strongly recommended, under the
still extant, is frequently referred to by Stephanus conviction that it was impossible to contend with
Byzantius and others. (Steph. Byz. 8. vo. Aanntos, the Persians. He was unsuccessful in his mis-
Ταπροβάνη, Δώρος, Υρκανοί, Μελιταία, &c. ; Comp. sion; but though he continued in the Persian
Eustath. ad Dionys. Perieg. 388, 591. ) Of his army, he was always secretly inclined to the cause
astronomical poem a fragment is still extant, which of the Greeks, and informed them the night before
has been erroneously attributed by Gale (Addend. the battle of Plataeae of the intention of Mardonius
ad Purthen. p. 49) and Schneider (ad Vitruv. ii. to fight on the following day. (viii. 136, 140-
p. 23, &c. ) to Alexander Aetolus. (See Naeke, 143, ix. 44, 45. ) He was alive in B. C. 463,
Schedae Criticae, p. 7, &c. ) It is highly probable when Cimon recovered Thasos. (Plut. Cim. 14. )
that Cicero (ad Att. ii. 20, 22) is speaking of He was succeeded by Perdiccas II.
Alexander Lychnus when he says, that Alexander Alexander was the first member of the royal
is not a good poet, a careless writer, but yet pos- family of Macedonia, who presented himself as a
sesses some information.
[L. S. ] competitor at the Olympic games, and was admit-
ALEXANDER LYCOPOLI'TES('Aréžavopos ted to them after proving his Greek descent.
AUKOTONÍTns), was so called from Lycopolis, in (Herod. v. 22; Justin, vii. 2. ) In his reign
Egypt, whether as born there, or because he was Macedonia received a considerable accession of ter-
bishop there, is uncertain. At first a pagan, he ritory. (Thuc. ü. 99. )
was next instructed in Manicheeism by persons
acquainted with Manes himself. Converted to the
faith, he wrote a confutation of the heresy (Trao
tatus de Placitis Manichaeorum) in Greek, which
was first published by Combefis, with a Latin
version, in the Auctarium Novissimum Bibl. 88.
Patr. Ps. ii. pag. 3, &c. It is published also by
Gallandi, Bibl. Patr. vol. iv. p. 73. He was bishop
of Lycopolis, (Phot. Epitome de Manich. ap.
Montfaucon. Bibl. Coislin. p. 354,) and probably
immediately preceded Meletius. (Le Quien, Oriens
Xnus. vol. ïi.
p. 597. )
(A. J. C. ] ALEXANDER II. (Arégavpos), the six-
ALEXANDER ('Alégavopos), the son of Lysi- teenth king of MACEDONIA, the eldest son of
MACHUS by an Odrysian woman, whom Polyaenus Amyntas II. , succeeded his father in B. c. 369,
(vi. 12) calls Macris. On the murder of his and appears to have reigned nearly two years,
brother Agathocles (see p. 65, a] by command of though Diodorus assigns only one to his reign.
his father in B. c. 284, he fled into Asia with the While engaged in Thessaly in a war with Alexan-
widow of his brother, and solicited aid of Seleucus. der of Pherae, a usurper rose up in Macedonia of
A war ensued in consequence between Seleucus the name of Ptolemy Alorites, whom Diodorus,
and Lysimachus, which terminated in the defeat apparently without good authority, calls a brother
and death of the latter, who was slain in battle in of the king. Pelopidas, being called in to mediate
B. C. 281, in the plain of Coros in Phrygia. His between them, left Alexander in possession of the
body was conveyed by his son Alexander to the kingdom, but took with him to Thebes several
Chersonesus, and there buried between Cardia and hostages; among whom, according to some ac-
Pactya, where his tomb was remaining in the time counts, was Philip, the youngest brother of Alex-
of Pausanias. (i. 10. § 4, 5; Appian, Syr. 64. ) ander, afterwards king of Macedonia, and father of
ALEXANDER I. ('Alétavòpos), the tenth king Alexander the Great. But he had scarcely left
of MACEDONIA, was the son of Amyntas I. When Macedonia, before Alexander was murdered by
Megabazus sent to Macedonia, about B. C. 507, to Ptolemy Alorites, or according to Justin (vii. 5),
demand earth and water, as a token of submission through the intrigues of his mother, Eurydice.
## p. 119 (#139) ############################################
ALEXANDER.
119
ALEXANDER.
Demosthenes (de fals. Log. p. 402) names Apollo. I the Isthmus of Corinth, with the sole exception of
phanes as one of the murderers. (Diod. xv. 60, the Lacedaemonians, elected him to the command
61, 67, 71, 77; Plut. Pelop. 26, 27; Athen. xiv. against Persia, which had previously been bestowed
p. 629, d. ; Aeschin. de fals. Leg. p. 31, 1. 33. ) upon bis father. Being now at liberty to reduce
the barbarians of the north to obedience, he
marched (early in B. C. 335) across mount Haemus,
defeated the Triballi, and advanced as far as the
Danube, which he crossed, and received embassies
from the Scythians and other nations. On his
return, be marched westward, and subdued the
Illyrians and Taulantii, who were obliged to sub-
mit to the Macedonian supremacy.
While en-
ALEXANDER III. Canetardpos), king of gaged in these distant countries, a report of his
MACEDONIA, surnamed the Great, was born at death reached Greece, and the Thebans once more
Pella, in the autumn of B. C. 356. He was the took up arms. But a terrible punishment awaited
son of Philip II. and Olympias, and he inherited them. He advanced into Boeotia by rapid marches,
much of the natural disposition of both of his pa- and appeared before the gates of the city almost
rents—the cool forethought and practical wisdom before the inhabitants bad received intelligence of
of his father, and the ardent enthusiasm and un- his approach. The city was taken by assault ; all the
governable passions of his mother. His mother buildings, with the exception of the house of Pin-
belonged to the royal house of Epeirus, and through dar, were levelled with the ground ; most of the
her he traced his descent from the great hero inhabitants butchered, and the rest sold as slaves.
Achilles. His early education was committed to Athens feared a similar fate, and sent an embassy
Leonidas and Lysimachus, the former of whom deprecating his wrath ; but Alexander did not ad-
was a relation of his mother's, and the latter an vance further; the punishment of Thebes was a
Acarnanian. Leonidas early accustomed him to sufficient warning to Greece.
endure toil and hardship, but Lysimachus recom- Alexander now directed all his energy to prepare
mended bimself to his royal pupil by obsequious for the expedition against Persia. In the spring
fattery. But Alexander was also placed under of B. C. 334, he crossed over the Hellespont into
the care of Aristotle, who acquired an influence Asia with an army of about 35,000 men. Of
over his mind and character, which is manifest to these 30,000 were foot and 5000 horse ; and of
the latest period of his life. Aristotle wrote for the former only 12,000 were Macedonians. But
his use a treatise on the art of government; and experience had shewn that this was a force which
the clear and comprehensive views of the political no Persian king could resist. Darius, the reigning
relations of nations and of the nature of government, king of Persia, had no military skill, and could
which Alexander shews in the midst of all his con- only hope to oppose Alexander by engaging the
juests, may fairly be ascribed to the lessons he services of mercenary Greeks, of whom he obtained
ad received in his youth from the greatest of phi- large supplies
osophers. It is not impossible too that his love Alexander's first engagement with the Persian.
of discovery, which distinguishes him from the was on the banks of the Granicus, where they at-
aerd of vulgar conquerors, may also have been im- tempted to prevent his passage over it.
Memnon,
planted in him by the researches of Aristotle. Nor a Rhodian Greek, was in the army of the Persians,
was his physical education neglected. He was and had recommended them to withdraw as Alexan-
early trained in all manly and athletic sports ; in der's army advanced, and lay waste the country ;
horsemanship he excelled all of his age; and in but this advice was not followed, and the Persians
the art of war he had the advantage of his father's were defeated. Memnon was the ablest general
instruction.
that Darius had, and his death in the following
At the early age of sixteen, Alexander was en- year (B. C. 333) relieved Alexander from a formid
trusted with the government of Macedonia by his able opponent. After the capture of Halicarnassus,
father, while he was obliged to leave his kingdom Memnon had collected a powerful fleet, in which
to march against Byzantium. He first distinguished Alexander was greatly deficient; he had taken
himself, however, at the battle of Chaeroneia many of the islands in the Aegaean, and threatened
(B. C 338), where the victory was mainly owing to Macedonia.
his impetuosity and courage.
Before marching against Darius, Alexander
On the murder of Philip (B. C. 336), just after thought it expedient to subdue the chief towns on
he had made arrangements to march into Asia at the western coast of Asia Minor. The last event
the head of the confederate Greeks, Alexander of importance in the campaign was the capture of
ascended the throne of Macedon, and found him- Halicarnassus, which was not taken till late in the
self surrounded by enemies on every side. Attalus, autumn, after a vigorous defence by Memnon.
the uncle of Cleopatra, who had been sent into Alexander marched along the coast of Lycia and
Asia by Parmenion with a considerable force, as- Pamphylia, and then northward into Phrygia and
pired to the throne ; the Greeks, roused by De to Gordium, where he cut or untied the celebrated
mosthenes, threw off the Macedonian supremacy; Gordian knot, which, it was said, was to be
and the barbarians in the north threatened his loosened only by the conqueror of Asia.
dominions. Nothing but the promptest energy In B. C. 333, he was joined at Gordium by re-
could save him; but in this Alexander was never inforcements from Macedonia, and commenced his
deficient. Attalus was seized and put to death. second campaign. From Gordium he marched
His rapid march into the south of Greece over through the centre of Asia Minor into Cilicia to
awed all opposition; Thebes, which had been the city of Tarsus, where he nearly lost his life by
most active against him, submitted when he ap- a fever, brought on by his great exertions, or
peared at its gates; and the assembled Greeks at through throwing himself, when heated, into the
## p. 120 (#140) ############################################
120
ALEXANDER.
ALEXANDER.
;
:
cold waters of the Cydnus. Darius meantime had day, fed to Ecbatana (Hamndan), in Media.
collected an immense army of 500,000, or 600,000 Alexander was now the conqueror of Asia; and
men, with 30,000 Greek mercenaries ; but instead he began to assume all the pomp and splendour of
of waiting for Alexander's approach in the wide an Asiatic despot. His adoption of Persian habits
plain of Sochi, where he had been stationed for and customs tended doubtless to conciliate the
some time, and which was favourable to his num affections of his new subjects ; but these out-
bers and the evolution of his cavalry, be advanced ward signs of eastern rovalıy were also accom-
into the narrow plain of Issus, where defeat was panied by many acts worthy only of an eastern
almost certain. Alexander had passed through tyrant; he exercised no controul over his pas-
this plain into Syria before Darius reached it ; but sions, and frequently gave way to the most violent
as soon as he received intelligence of the move- and ungovernable excesses.
ments of Darius, he retraced his steps, and in the From Arbela, Alexander marched to Babylon,
battle which followed the Persian army was de Suse and Persepolis, which all surrendered with-
feated with dreadful slaughter. Darius took to out striking a blow. He is said to bave set fire to
flight, as soon as he saw his left wing routed, and the palace of Persepolis, and, according to some
escaped across the Euphrates by the ford of Thap accounts, in the revelry of a banquet, at the insti-
bacus ; but his mother, wife, and children fell into gation of Thais, an Athenian courtezan.
the hands of Alexander, who treated them with At the beginning of B. c. 330, Alexander
the utmost delicacy and respect. The battle of marched from Persepolis into Media, where Darius
Issus, which was fought towards the close of B. C. had collected a new force. On his approach,
333, decided the fate of the Persian empire ; but Darius fled through Rhagae and the passes of the
Alexander judged it most prudent not to pursue Elburz mountains, called by the ancients the Cas-
Darius, but to subdue Phoenicia, which was espe pian Gates, into the Bactrian provinces. After
cially formidable by its navy, and constantly stopping a short time at Ecbatana, Alexander pur-
threatened thereby to attack the coasts of Greece sued him through the deserts of Parthia, and had
and Macedonia. Most of the cities of Phoenicia nearly reached him, when the unfortunate king was
submitted as he approached ; Tyre alone refused to murdered by Bessus, satrap of Bactria and his as-
burrender. This city was not taken till the mid- sociates. Alexander sent his body to Persepolis, to
dle of B. c. 332, after an obstinate defence of seven be buried in the tombs of the Persian kings. Bessus
months, and was fearfully punished by the slaugh- escaped to Bactria, and assumed the title of king
ter of 8000 Tyrians and the sale of 30,000 into of Persia. Alexander advanced into Hyrcania, in
blavery. Nexi followed the siege of Gaza, which order to gain over the remnant of the Greeks of
again delayed Alexander two months, and after- Darius's army, who were assembled there. After
wards, according to Josephus, he marched to Jeru- some negotiation he succeeded; they were all par-
salem, intending to punish the people for refusing doned, and a great many of them taken into his
to assist him, but he was diverted from his purpose pay. After spending fifteen days at Zadracarta,
by the appear
nce of the high priest, and pardoned the capital of Parthia, he marched to the frontiers
the people. This story is not mentioned by Arrian, of Areia, which he entrusted to Satibarzanes, the
and rests on questionable evidence.
former satrap of the country, and set out on his
Alexander next marched into Egypt, which march towards Bactria to attack Bessus, but had
gladly submitted to the conqueror, for the Egyp not proceeded far, when he was recalled by the re-
tians had ever hated the Persians, who insulted volt of Satibarzanes. By incredible exertions he
their religion and violated their temples. In the returned to Artacoana, the capital of the province,
beginning of the following year (B. C. 331), Alex. in two days' march: the satrap took to flight, and
ander founded at the mouth of the western branch a new governor was appointed. Instead of re-
of the Nile, the city of Alexandria, which he in- suming his march into Bactria Alexander seems
tended should form the centre of commerce between to have thought it more prudent to subdue the
the eastern and western worlds, and which soon south-eastern parts of Areia, and accordingly
more than realized the expectations of its founder. marched into the country of the Drangae and
He now determined to visit the temple of Jupiter Sarangae.
Ammon, and after proceeding from Alexandria During the army's stay at Prophthasia, the capi-
along the coast to Paraetonium, he turned south- tal of the Drangae, an event occurred, which
ward through the desert and thus reached the temple. shews the altered character of Alexander, and re
He was saluted by the priests as the son of Ju- presents him in the light of a suspicious oriental
piter Ammon.
despot. Philotas, the son of his faithful general,
In the spring of the same year (B. C. 331), Parmenion, and who had been himself a personal
Alexander set out to meet Darius, who had col friend of Alexander, was accused of a plot against
lected another army. He marched through Phoe the king's life. He was accused by Alexander
nicia and Syria to the Euphrates, which he crossed at before the army, condemned, and put to death.
the ford of Thapsacus; from thence he proceeded Parmenion, who was at the head of an army at
through Mesopotamia, crossed the Tigris, and at Ecbatana, was also put to death by command of
length met with the immense hosts of Darius, said Alexander, who feared lest he should attempt to
to have amounted to more than a million of men, revenge his son. Several other trials for treason
in the plains of Gaugamela. The battle was fought followed, and many Macedonians were executed.
in the month of October, B. C. 331, and ended in Alexander now advanced through the country
the complete defeat of the Persians, who suffered of the Ariaspi to the Arachoti, a people west of
immense slaughter. Alexander pursued the fugi- the Indus, whom he conquered.
Their conquest
tives to Arbela (Erbil), which place has given its and the complete subjugation of Areia occupied
name to the battle, and which was distant about the winter of this year. (B. C. 330. ) In the be-
fifty miles from the spot where it was fought. Da- ginning of the following year (B. C. 329), he
rius, who had left the field of battle early in the crossed the mountains of the Paropamisus (the
1
## p. 121 (#141) ############################################
ALEXANDER.
121
ALEXANDER
Hindoo Coosh), and marched into Bactria against the Macedonians, worn out by long service, and
Bessus. On the approach of Alexander, Bessus tired of the war, refused to proceed; and Alexan-
Aed across the Oxus into Sogdiana. Alexander der, notwithstanding his entreaties and prayers,
followed him, and transported his army across the was obliged to lead them back. He returned
river on the skins of the tents stuffed with straw. to the Hydaspes, where he had previously given
Shortly after the passage Bessus was betrayed into orders for the building of a ficet, and then sailed
his hands, and, after being cruelly mutilated by down the river with about 8000 men, while the
order of Alexander, was put to death. From the remainder marched along the banks in two divi-
Oxus Alexander advanced as far as the Jaxartes sions. This was late in the autumn of 327. The
(the Sir), which he crossed, and defeated several people on each side of the river submitted with-
Scythian tribes north of that river. After out resistance, except the Malli, in the conquest
founding a city Alexandria on the Jaxartes, he of one of whose places Alexander was severely
retraced his steps, recrossed the Oxus, and returned wounded. At the confluence of the Acesines
to Zariaspa or Bactra, where he spent the winter and the Indus, Alexander founded a city, and
of 329. It was here that Alexander killed his left Philip as satrap, with a considerable body
friend Cleitus in a drunken revel. [CLEITUS. ] of Greeks. Here he built some fresh ships, and
In the spring of B. C. 328, Alexander again shortly afterwards sent about a third of the
crossed the Oxus to complete the subjugation of army, under Craterus, through the country of
Sogdiana, but was not able to effect it in the year, the Arachoti and Drangae into Carmania. He
and accordingly went into winter quarters at Nau- himself continued his voyage down the Indus,
taca, a place in the middle of the province. At the founded a city at Pattala, the apex of the della
beginning of the following year, B. C. 327, he took of the Indus, and sailed into the Indian ocean.
a mountain fortress, in which Oxyartes, a Bactrian He seems to have reached the mouth of the
prince, had deposited his wife and daughters. Indus about the middle of 326. Nearchus was
The beauty of Roxana, one of the latter, captivated sent with the feet to sail along the coast to
the conqueror, and he accordingly made her his the Persian gulf (NEARCH Us), and Alexander
wife. This marriage with one of his eastern sub- set out from Pattala, about September, to return
jects was in accordance with the whole of his to Persia. In his march through Gedrosia, bis
policy. Having completed the conquest of Sogdi- army suffered greatly from want of water and
ana, Alexander marched southward into Bactrian provisions, till they arrived at Pura, where they
and made preparations for the invasion of India obtained supplies. From Pura he advanced to
While in Bactria, another conspiracy was discor- Carman (Kirman), the capital of Carmania, where
ered for the murder of the king. The plot was he was joined by Craterus, with his detachment
formed by Hermolaus with a number of the royal of the army, and also by Nearchus, who had
pages, and Callisthenes, a pupil of Aristotle, was accomplished the voyage in safety. Alexander
involved in it. All the conspirators were put to sent the great body of the army, under He-
death,
phaestion, along the Persian gulf, while he him-
Alexander did not leave Bactria till late in the self, with a small force, marched to Pasargadae,
spring of B. C. 327, and crossed the Indus, proba- and from thence to Persepolis, where he ap-
bly near the modern Attock. He now entered pointed Peucestas, a Macedonian, governor, in
the country of the Penjab, or the Five Rivers. place of the former one, a Persian, whom he
Taxilas, the king of the people immediately east put to death, for oppressing the province.
of the Indus, submitted to him, and thus he met From Persepolis Alexander advanced to Susa,
with no resistance till he reached the Hydaspes, which he reached in the beginning of 325. Here
upon the opposite bank of which Porus, an Indian he allowed himself and his troops some rest from
king, was posted with a large army and a consider their labours; and faithful to his plan of forming
able number of elephants. Alexander managed to his European and Asiatic subjects into one people,
cross the river unperceived by the Indian king, he assigned to about eighty of his generals Asiatic
and then an obstinate battle followed, in which wives, and gave with them rich dowries. He him-
Porus was defeated after a gallant resistance, and self took a second wife, Barsine, the eldest daugh-
taken prisoner. Alexander restored to him bis ter of Darius, and according to some accounts, a
kingdom, and treated him with distinguished third, Parysatis, the daughter of Ochus. About
honour.
10,000 Macedonians also followed the example
Alexander remained thirty days on the Hydaspes, of their king and generals, and married Asiatic
during which time he founded two towns, one on women; all these received presents from the king.
each bank of the river: one was called Bucephala, Alexander also enrolled large numbers of Asiatics.
in honour of his horse Bucephalus, who died here, among his troops, and taught them the Macedonian
after carrying him through so many victories; and tactics. He moreover directed his attention to the
the other Nicaea, to commemorate his victory, increase of commerce, and for this purpose bad the
From thence he marched to the Acesines (the Euphrates and Tigris made navigable, by removing
Chinab), which he crossed, and subsequently to the the artificial obstructions which had been made in
Hydraotes (the Ravee), which he also crossed, the river for the purpose of irrigation.
to attack another Porus, who had prepared The Macedonians, who were discontented with
to resist him. But as he approached nearer, several of the new arrangements of the king, and
this Porus Aled, and his dominions were given especially at his placing the Persians on an equality
to the one whom he bad conquered on the with themselves in many respects, rose in mutiny
Hydaspes. The Cathaei, however, who also against him, which he quelled with some little
dwelt east of the Hydraotes, offered a rigorous difficulty, and he afterwards dismissed about 10,000
resistance, but were defeated. Alexander still Macedonian veterans, who returned to Europe un-
pressed forward till he reached the Hyphasis der the command of Craterus. Towards the close
(Garra), which he was preparing to cross, when of the same year (B. c. 325) he went to Ecbatana,
## p. 122 (#142) ############################################
122
ALEXANDER
ALEXANDER
where he lost his great favourite Hephaestion ; and epitomes of Justin and Diodorus Siculus, were also
his grief for his loss knew no bounds. From Ecba- compiled from earlier writers. The best modern
tana he marched to Babylon, subduing in his way writers on the subject are : St. Croix, Examen
the Cossaei, a mountain tribe ; and before he reach- critique des anciens Historiens d'Alexandre le Grand,
ed Babylon, he was met by ambassadors from Droysen, Geschichte Alexanders des Grossen ; Wil-
almost every part of the known world, who had liams, Life of Alexander; Thirlwall, History of
come to do homage to the new conqueror of Asia. Greece, vols. vi. and vii.
Alexander reached Babylon in the spring of B. C. ALEXANDER IV. (Anégavāpos), king of
324, about a year before his death, notwithstand MACEDONIA, the son of Alexander the Great and
ing the warnings of the Chaldeans, who predicted Roxana, was born shortly after the death of his
evil to him if he entered the city at that time. He father, in B. c. 323. He was acknowledged as the
intended to make Babylon the capital of his empire, partner of Philip Arrhidaeus in the empire, and was
as the best point of communication between his under the guardianship of Perdiccas, the regent,
eastern and western dominions. His schemes were till the death of the latter in B. c. 321. He was
numerous and gigantic. His first object was the then for a short time placed under the guardianship
conquest of Arabia, which was to be followed, it of Pithon and the general Arrhidaeus, and subse
was said, by the subjugation of Italy, Carthage, quently under that of Antipater, who conveyed
and the west. But his views were not confined him with his mother Roxana, and the king Philip
merely to conquest. He sent Heracleides to build Arrhidaeus and his wife to Macedonia in 326.
a fleet on the Caspian, and to explore that sea, (Diod. xviii. 36, 39. ) On the death of Antipater
which was said to be connected with the northern in 319, the government fell into the hands of
ocean. He also intended to improve the distribu- Polysperchon ; but Eurydice, the wife of Philip
tion of waters in the Babylonian plain, and for Arrhidaeus, began to form a powerful party in
that purpose sailed down the Euphrates to inspect Macedonia in opposition to Polysperchon ; and
the canal called Pallacopas. On his return to Roxana, dreading her influence, fled with her son
Babylon, be found the preparations for the Arabian Alexander into Epeirus, where Olympias had lived
expedition nearly complete ; but almost immedi- for a long time. At the instigation of Olympias,
ately afterwards he was attacked by a fever, pro Aeacides, king of Epeirus, made common cause
bably brought on by his recent exertions in the with Polysperchon, and restored the young Alex-
marshy districts around Babylon, and aggra- ander to Macedonia in 317. [AEACIDES. ] Eury-
vated by the quantity of wine he had drunk dice and her husband were put to death, and the
at a banquet given to his principal officers. He supreme power fell into the hands of Olympias.
died after an illness of eleven days, in the month (xix. 11; Justin, xiv. 5. ) But in the following
of May or June, B. C. 323. He died at the age of year Cassander obtained possession of Macedonia,
thirty-two, after a reign of twelve years and eight put Olympias to death, and imprisoned Alexander
months. He appointed no one as his successor, and his mother. They remained in prison till the
but just before his death he gave his ring to Per- general peace made in 311, when Alexander's title
diccas. Roxana was with child at the time of his to the crown was recognized. Many of his par-
death, and afterwards bore a son, who is known by tizans demanded that he should be immediately
the name of Alexander Aegus.
released from prison and placed upon the throne.
The history of Alexander forms an important Cassander therefore resolved to get rid of so dan-
epoch in the history of mankind. Unlike other gerous a rival, and caused him and his mother
Asiatic conquerors, his progress was marked by Roxana to be murdered secretly in prison. (B. C.
something more than devastation and ruin ; at 311. Diod. xix. 51, 52, 61, 105; Justin, xv. 2;
every step of his course the Greek language and Paus. ix. 7. $ 2. )
civilization took root and flourished ; and after his ALEXANDER (AN6Javopos), a MEGALOPO
death Greek kingdoms were formed in all parts of LITAN. He was originally a Macedonian, but had
Asia, which continued to exist for centuries. By received the franchise and was settled at Megalo
his conquests the knowledge of mankind was in- polis about B. c. 190. He pretended to be a de
creased; the sciences of geography, natural history scendant of Alexander the Great, and accordingly
and others, received vast additions; and it was called his two sons Philip and Alexander. His
through him that a road was opened to India, and daughter Apama was married to Amynander,
that Europeans became acquainted with the pro king of the Athamanians. Her eldest brother,
ducts of the remote East.
Philip, followed her to her court, and being of a
No contemporary author of the campaigns of vain character, he allowed himself to be tempted
Alexander survives.
risees seized the opportunity thus afforded, and ALEXANDER ('Alétavbpos), surnamed Lich-
broke out into open revolt. At first they were NUS (Aúxvos), a Greek rhetorician and poet. He
successful, and Alexander was compelled to fly to was a native of Ephesus, whence he is sometimes
ransom.
## p. 118 (#138) ############################################
118
ALEXANDER.
ALEXANDER
called Alexander Ephesius, and must have lived to Darius, Amyntas was still reigning. At a ban-
shortly before the time of Strabo (xiv. p. 642), quet given to the Persian envoys, the latter de
who mentions him among the more recent Ephesian inanded the presence of the ladies of the court, and
authors, and also states, that he took a part in the Amyntas, through fear of his guests, ordered them
political affairs of his native city. Strabo ascribes to attend. But when the Persians proceeded to
to him a history, and poems of a didactic kind, offer indignities to them, Alexander caused them
viz. one on astronomy and another on geography, to retire, under pretence of arraying them more
in which he describes the great continents of the beautifully, and introduced in their stead some
world, treating of each in a separate work or book, Macedonian youths, dressed in female attire, who
which, as we learn from other sources, bore the slew the Persians. As the Persians did not re-
name of the continent of which it contained an turn, Megabazus sent Bubares with some troops
account. What kind of history it was that Strabo into Macedonia ; but Alexander escaped the dan-
alludes to, is uncertain. The so-called Aurelius ger by giving his sister Gygaea in marriage to the
Victor (de Orig. Gent. Rom. 9) quotes, it is true, Persian general. According to Justin, Alexander
the first book of a history of the Marsic war by succeeded his father in the kingdom soon after
Alexander the Ephesian; but this authority is these events. (Herod. v. 17-21, viii. 136 ;
more than doubtful. Some writers have supposed Justin, vii. 244. ) In B. C. 492, Macedonia
that this Alexander is the author of the history of was obliged to submit to the Persian general Mar-
the succession of Greek philosophers (ai Twv Qida donius (Herod. vi. 44); and in Xerxes' invasion
obowy Sladoxal), which is so often referred to by of Greece (B. C. 480), Alexander accompanied the
Diogenes Laertius (i. 116, ii. 19, 106, iii. 4, 5, Persian army. He gained the confidence of Mar-
iv. 62, vii. 179, viii. 24, ix. 61); but this work donius, and was sent by him to Athens after the
belonged probably to Alexander Polyhistor. His battle of Salamis, to propose peace to the Athe-
geographical poem, of which several fragments are nians, which he strongly recommended, under the
still extant, is frequently referred to by Stephanus conviction that it was impossible to contend with
Byzantius and others. (Steph. Byz. 8. vo. Aanntos, the Persians. He was unsuccessful in his mis-
Ταπροβάνη, Δώρος, Υρκανοί, Μελιταία, &c. ; Comp. sion; but though he continued in the Persian
Eustath. ad Dionys. Perieg. 388, 591. ) Of his army, he was always secretly inclined to the cause
astronomical poem a fragment is still extant, which of the Greeks, and informed them the night before
has been erroneously attributed by Gale (Addend. the battle of Plataeae of the intention of Mardonius
ad Purthen. p. 49) and Schneider (ad Vitruv. ii. to fight on the following day. (viii. 136, 140-
p. 23, &c. ) to Alexander Aetolus. (See Naeke, 143, ix. 44, 45. ) He was alive in B. C. 463,
Schedae Criticae, p. 7, &c. ) It is highly probable when Cimon recovered Thasos. (Plut. Cim. 14. )
that Cicero (ad Att. ii. 20, 22) is speaking of He was succeeded by Perdiccas II.
Alexander Lychnus when he says, that Alexander Alexander was the first member of the royal
is not a good poet, a careless writer, but yet pos- family of Macedonia, who presented himself as a
sesses some information.
[L. S. ] competitor at the Olympic games, and was admit-
ALEXANDER LYCOPOLI'TES('Aréžavopos ted to them after proving his Greek descent.
AUKOTONÍTns), was so called from Lycopolis, in (Herod. v. 22; Justin, vii. 2. ) In his reign
Egypt, whether as born there, or because he was Macedonia received a considerable accession of ter-
bishop there, is uncertain. At first a pagan, he ritory. (Thuc. ü. 99. )
was next instructed in Manicheeism by persons
acquainted with Manes himself. Converted to the
faith, he wrote a confutation of the heresy (Trao
tatus de Placitis Manichaeorum) in Greek, which
was first published by Combefis, with a Latin
version, in the Auctarium Novissimum Bibl. 88.
Patr. Ps. ii. pag. 3, &c. It is published also by
Gallandi, Bibl. Patr. vol. iv. p. 73. He was bishop
of Lycopolis, (Phot. Epitome de Manich. ap.
Montfaucon. Bibl. Coislin. p. 354,) and probably
immediately preceded Meletius. (Le Quien, Oriens
Xnus. vol. ïi.
p. 597. )
(A. J. C. ] ALEXANDER II. (Arégavpos), the six-
ALEXANDER ('Alégavopos), the son of Lysi- teenth king of MACEDONIA, the eldest son of
MACHUS by an Odrysian woman, whom Polyaenus Amyntas II. , succeeded his father in B. c. 369,
(vi. 12) calls Macris. On the murder of his and appears to have reigned nearly two years,
brother Agathocles (see p. 65, a] by command of though Diodorus assigns only one to his reign.
his father in B. c. 284, he fled into Asia with the While engaged in Thessaly in a war with Alexan-
widow of his brother, and solicited aid of Seleucus. der of Pherae, a usurper rose up in Macedonia of
A war ensued in consequence between Seleucus the name of Ptolemy Alorites, whom Diodorus,
and Lysimachus, which terminated in the defeat apparently without good authority, calls a brother
and death of the latter, who was slain in battle in of the king. Pelopidas, being called in to mediate
B. C. 281, in the plain of Coros in Phrygia. His between them, left Alexander in possession of the
body was conveyed by his son Alexander to the kingdom, but took with him to Thebes several
Chersonesus, and there buried between Cardia and hostages; among whom, according to some ac-
Pactya, where his tomb was remaining in the time counts, was Philip, the youngest brother of Alex-
of Pausanias. (i. 10. § 4, 5; Appian, Syr. 64. ) ander, afterwards king of Macedonia, and father of
ALEXANDER I. ('Alétavòpos), the tenth king Alexander the Great. But he had scarcely left
of MACEDONIA, was the son of Amyntas I. When Macedonia, before Alexander was murdered by
Megabazus sent to Macedonia, about B. C. 507, to Ptolemy Alorites, or according to Justin (vii. 5),
demand earth and water, as a token of submission through the intrigues of his mother, Eurydice.
## p. 119 (#139) ############################################
ALEXANDER.
119
ALEXANDER.
Demosthenes (de fals. Log. p. 402) names Apollo. I the Isthmus of Corinth, with the sole exception of
phanes as one of the murderers. (Diod. xv. 60, the Lacedaemonians, elected him to the command
61, 67, 71, 77; Plut. Pelop. 26, 27; Athen. xiv. against Persia, which had previously been bestowed
p. 629, d. ; Aeschin. de fals. Leg. p. 31, 1. 33. ) upon bis father. Being now at liberty to reduce
the barbarians of the north to obedience, he
marched (early in B. C. 335) across mount Haemus,
defeated the Triballi, and advanced as far as the
Danube, which he crossed, and received embassies
from the Scythians and other nations. On his
return, be marched westward, and subdued the
Illyrians and Taulantii, who were obliged to sub-
mit to the Macedonian supremacy.
While en-
ALEXANDER III. Canetardpos), king of gaged in these distant countries, a report of his
MACEDONIA, surnamed the Great, was born at death reached Greece, and the Thebans once more
Pella, in the autumn of B. C. 356. He was the took up arms. But a terrible punishment awaited
son of Philip II. and Olympias, and he inherited them. He advanced into Boeotia by rapid marches,
much of the natural disposition of both of his pa- and appeared before the gates of the city almost
rents—the cool forethought and practical wisdom before the inhabitants bad received intelligence of
of his father, and the ardent enthusiasm and un- his approach. The city was taken by assault ; all the
governable passions of his mother. His mother buildings, with the exception of the house of Pin-
belonged to the royal house of Epeirus, and through dar, were levelled with the ground ; most of the
her he traced his descent from the great hero inhabitants butchered, and the rest sold as slaves.
Achilles. His early education was committed to Athens feared a similar fate, and sent an embassy
Leonidas and Lysimachus, the former of whom deprecating his wrath ; but Alexander did not ad-
was a relation of his mother's, and the latter an vance further; the punishment of Thebes was a
Acarnanian. Leonidas early accustomed him to sufficient warning to Greece.
endure toil and hardship, but Lysimachus recom- Alexander now directed all his energy to prepare
mended bimself to his royal pupil by obsequious for the expedition against Persia. In the spring
fattery. But Alexander was also placed under of B. C. 334, he crossed over the Hellespont into
the care of Aristotle, who acquired an influence Asia with an army of about 35,000 men. Of
over his mind and character, which is manifest to these 30,000 were foot and 5000 horse ; and of
the latest period of his life. Aristotle wrote for the former only 12,000 were Macedonians. But
his use a treatise on the art of government; and experience had shewn that this was a force which
the clear and comprehensive views of the political no Persian king could resist. Darius, the reigning
relations of nations and of the nature of government, king of Persia, had no military skill, and could
which Alexander shews in the midst of all his con- only hope to oppose Alexander by engaging the
juests, may fairly be ascribed to the lessons he services of mercenary Greeks, of whom he obtained
ad received in his youth from the greatest of phi- large supplies
osophers. It is not impossible too that his love Alexander's first engagement with the Persian.
of discovery, which distinguishes him from the was on the banks of the Granicus, where they at-
aerd of vulgar conquerors, may also have been im- tempted to prevent his passage over it.
Memnon,
planted in him by the researches of Aristotle. Nor a Rhodian Greek, was in the army of the Persians,
was his physical education neglected. He was and had recommended them to withdraw as Alexan-
early trained in all manly and athletic sports ; in der's army advanced, and lay waste the country ;
horsemanship he excelled all of his age; and in but this advice was not followed, and the Persians
the art of war he had the advantage of his father's were defeated. Memnon was the ablest general
instruction.
that Darius had, and his death in the following
At the early age of sixteen, Alexander was en- year (B. C. 333) relieved Alexander from a formid
trusted with the government of Macedonia by his able opponent. After the capture of Halicarnassus,
father, while he was obliged to leave his kingdom Memnon had collected a powerful fleet, in which
to march against Byzantium. He first distinguished Alexander was greatly deficient; he had taken
himself, however, at the battle of Chaeroneia many of the islands in the Aegaean, and threatened
(B. C 338), where the victory was mainly owing to Macedonia.
his impetuosity and courage.
Before marching against Darius, Alexander
On the murder of Philip (B. C. 336), just after thought it expedient to subdue the chief towns on
he had made arrangements to march into Asia at the western coast of Asia Minor. The last event
the head of the confederate Greeks, Alexander of importance in the campaign was the capture of
ascended the throne of Macedon, and found him- Halicarnassus, which was not taken till late in the
self surrounded by enemies on every side. Attalus, autumn, after a vigorous defence by Memnon.
the uncle of Cleopatra, who had been sent into Alexander marched along the coast of Lycia and
Asia by Parmenion with a considerable force, as- Pamphylia, and then northward into Phrygia and
pired to the throne ; the Greeks, roused by De to Gordium, where he cut or untied the celebrated
mosthenes, threw off the Macedonian supremacy; Gordian knot, which, it was said, was to be
and the barbarians in the north threatened his loosened only by the conqueror of Asia.
dominions. Nothing but the promptest energy In B. C. 333, he was joined at Gordium by re-
could save him; but in this Alexander was never inforcements from Macedonia, and commenced his
deficient. Attalus was seized and put to death. second campaign. From Gordium he marched
His rapid march into the south of Greece over through the centre of Asia Minor into Cilicia to
awed all opposition; Thebes, which had been the city of Tarsus, where he nearly lost his life by
most active against him, submitted when he ap- a fever, brought on by his great exertions, or
peared at its gates; and the assembled Greeks at through throwing himself, when heated, into the
## p. 120 (#140) ############################################
120
ALEXANDER.
ALEXANDER.
;
:
cold waters of the Cydnus. Darius meantime had day, fed to Ecbatana (Hamndan), in Media.
collected an immense army of 500,000, or 600,000 Alexander was now the conqueror of Asia; and
men, with 30,000 Greek mercenaries ; but instead he began to assume all the pomp and splendour of
of waiting for Alexander's approach in the wide an Asiatic despot. His adoption of Persian habits
plain of Sochi, where he had been stationed for and customs tended doubtless to conciliate the
some time, and which was favourable to his num affections of his new subjects ; but these out-
bers and the evolution of his cavalry, be advanced ward signs of eastern rovalıy were also accom-
into the narrow plain of Issus, where defeat was panied by many acts worthy only of an eastern
almost certain. Alexander had passed through tyrant; he exercised no controul over his pas-
this plain into Syria before Darius reached it ; but sions, and frequently gave way to the most violent
as soon as he received intelligence of the move- and ungovernable excesses.
ments of Darius, he retraced his steps, and in the From Arbela, Alexander marched to Babylon,
battle which followed the Persian army was de Suse and Persepolis, which all surrendered with-
feated with dreadful slaughter. Darius took to out striking a blow. He is said to bave set fire to
flight, as soon as he saw his left wing routed, and the palace of Persepolis, and, according to some
escaped across the Euphrates by the ford of Thap accounts, in the revelry of a banquet, at the insti-
bacus ; but his mother, wife, and children fell into gation of Thais, an Athenian courtezan.
the hands of Alexander, who treated them with At the beginning of B. c. 330, Alexander
the utmost delicacy and respect. The battle of marched from Persepolis into Media, where Darius
Issus, which was fought towards the close of B. C. had collected a new force. On his approach,
333, decided the fate of the Persian empire ; but Darius fled through Rhagae and the passes of the
Alexander judged it most prudent not to pursue Elburz mountains, called by the ancients the Cas-
Darius, but to subdue Phoenicia, which was espe pian Gates, into the Bactrian provinces. After
cially formidable by its navy, and constantly stopping a short time at Ecbatana, Alexander pur-
threatened thereby to attack the coasts of Greece sued him through the deserts of Parthia, and had
and Macedonia. Most of the cities of Phoenicia nearly reached him, when the unfortunate king was
submitted as he approached ; Tyre alone refused to murdered by Bessus, satrap of Bactria and his as-
burrender. This city was not taken till the mid- sociates. Alexander sent his body to Persepolis, to
dle of B. c. 332, after an obstinate defence of seven be buried in the tombs of the Persian kings. Bessus
months, and was fearfully punished by the slaugh- escaped to Bactria, and assumed the title of king
ter of 8000 Tyrians and the sale of 30,000 into of Persia. Alexander advanced into Hyrcania, in
blavery. Nexi followed the siege of Gaza, which order to gain over the remnant of the Greeks of
again delayed Alexander two months, and after- Darius's army, who were assembled there. After
wards, according to Josephus, he marched to Jeru- some negotiation he succeeded; they were all par-
salem, intending to punish the people for refusing doned, and a great many of them taken into his
to assist him, but he was diverted from his purpose pay. After spending fifteen days at Zadracarta,
by the appear
nce of the high priest, and pardoned the capital of Parthia, he marched to the frontiers
the people. This story is not mentioned by Arrian, of Areia, which he entrusted to Satibarzanes, the
and rests on questionable evidence.
former satrap of the country, and set out on his
Alexander next marched into Egypt, which march towards Bactria to attack Bessus, but had
gladly submitted to the conqueror, for the Egyp not proceeded far, when he was recalled by the re-
tians had ever hated the Persians, who insulted volt of Satibarzanes. By incredible exertions he
their religion and violated their temples. In the returned to Artacoana, the capital of the province,
beginning of the following year (B. C. 331), Alex. in two days' march: the satrap took to flight, and
ander founded at the mouth of the western branch a new governor was appointed. Instead of re-
of the Nile, the city of Alexandria, which he in- suming his march into Bactria Alexander seems
tended should form the centre of commerce between to have thought it more prudent to subdue the
the eastern and western worlds, and which soon south-eastern parts of Areia, and accordingly
more than realized the expectations of its founder. marched into the country of the Drangae and
He now determined to visit the temple of Jupiter Sarangae.
Ammon, and after proceeding from Alexandria During the army's stay at Prophthasia, the capi-
along the coast to Paraetonium, he turned south- tal of the Drangae, an event occurred, which
ward through the desert and thus reached the temple. shews the altered character of Alexander, and re
He was saluted by the priests as the son of Ju- presents him in the light of a suspicious oriental
piter Ammon.
despot. Philotas, the son of his faithful general,
In the spring of the same year (B. C. 331), Parmenion, and who had been himself a personal
Alexander set out to meet Darius, who had col friend of Alexander, was accused of a plot against
lected another army. He marched through Phoe the king's life. He was accused by Alexander
nicia and Syria to the Euphrates, which he crossed at before the army, condemned, and put to death.
the ford of Thapsacus; from thence he proceeded Parmenion, who was at the head of an army at
through Mesopotamia, crossed the Tigris, and at Ecbatana, was also put to death by command of
length met with the immense hosts of Darius, said Alexander, who feared lest he should attempt to
to have amounted to more than a million of men, revenge his son. Several other trials for treason
in the plains of Gaugamela. The battle was fought followed, and many Macedonians were executed.
in the month of October, B. C. 331, and ended in Alexander now advanced through the country
the complete defeat of the Persians, who suffered of the Ariaspi to the Arachoti, a people west of
immense slaughter. Alexander pursued the fugi- the Indus, whom he conquered.
Their conquest
tives to Arbela (Erbil), which place has given its and the complete subjugation of Areia occupied
name to the battle, and which was distant about the winter of this year. (B. C. 330. ) In the be-
fifty miles from the spot where it was fought. Da- ginning of the following year (B. C. 329), he
rius, who had left the field of battle early in the crossed the mountains of the Paropamisus (the
1
## p. 121 (#141) ############################################
ALEXANDER.
121
ALEXANDER
Hindoo Coosh), and marched into Bactria against the Macedonians, worn out by long service, and
Bessus. On the approach of Alexander, Bessus tired of the war, refused to proceed; and Alexan-
Aed across the Oxus into Sogdiana. Alexander der, notwithstanding his entreaties and prayers,
followed him, and transported his army across the was obliged to lead them back. He returned
river on the skins of the tents stuffed with straw. to the Hydaspes, where he had previously given
Shortly after the passage Bessus was betrayed into orders for the building of a ficet, and then sailed
his hands, and, after being cruelly mutilated by down the river with about 8000 men, while the
order of Alexander, was put to death. From the remainder marched along the banks in two divi-
Oxus Alexander advanced as far as the Jaxartes sions. This was late in the autumn of 327. The
(the Sir), which he crossed, and defeated several people on each side of the river submitted with-
Scythian tribes north of that river. After out resistance, except the Malli, in the conquest
founding a city Alexandria on the Jaxartes, he of one of whose places Alexander was severely
retraced his steps, recrossed the Oxus, and returned wounded. At the confluence of the Acesines
to Zariaspa or Bactra, where he spent the winter and the Indus, Alexander founded a city, and
of 329. It was here that Alexander killed his left Philip as satrap, with a considerable body
friend Cleitus in a drunken revel. [CLEITUS. ] of Greeks. Here he built some fresh ships, and
In the spring of B. C. 328, Alexander again shortly afterwards sent about a third of the
crossed the Oxus to complete the subjugation of army, under Craterus, through the country of
Sogdiana, but was not able to effect it in the year, the Arachoti and Drangae into Carmania. He
and accordingly went into winter quarters at Nau- himself continued his voyage down the Indus,
taca, a place in the middle of the province. At the founded a city at Pattala, the apex of the della
beginning of the following year, B. C. 327, he took of the Indus, and sailed into the Indian ocean.
a mountain fortress, in which Oxyartes, a Bactrian He seems to have reached the mouth of the
prince, had deposited his wife and daughters. Indus about the middle of 326. Nearchus was
The beauty of Roxana, one of the latter, captivated sent with the feet to sail along the coast to
the conqueror, and he accordingly made her his the Persian gulf (NEARCH Us), and Alexander
wife. This marriage with one of his eastern sub- set out from Pattala, about September, to return
jects was in accordance with the whole of his to Persia. In his march through Gedrosia, bis
policy. Having completed the conquest of Sogdi- army suffered greatly from want of water and
ana, Alexander marched southward into Bactrian provisions, till they arrived at Pura, where they
and made preparations for the invasion of India obtained supplies. From Pura he advanced to
While in Bactria, another conspiracy was discor- Carman (Kirman), the capital of Carmania, where
ered for the murder of the king. The plot was he was joined by Craterus, with his detachment
formed by Hermolaus with a number of the royal of the army, and also by Nearchus, who had
pages, and Callisthenes, a pupil of Aristotle, was accomplished the voyage in safety. Alexander
involved in it. All the conspirators were put to sent the great body of the army, under He-
death,
phaestion, along the Persian gulf, while he him-
Alexander did not leave Bactria till late in the self, with a small force, marched to Pasargadae,
spring of B. C. 327, and crossed the Indus, proba- and from thence to Persepolis, where he ap-
bly near the modern Attock. He now entered pointed Peucestas, a Macedonian, governor, in
the country of the Penjab, or the Five Rivers. place of the former one, a Persian, whom he
Taxilas, the king of the people immediately east put to death, for oppressing the province.
of the Indus, submitted to him, and thus he met From Persepolis Alexander advanced to Susa,
with no resistance till he reached the Hydaspes, which he reached in the beginning of 325. Here
upon the opposite bank of which Porus, an Indian he allowed himself and his troops some rest from
king, was posted with a large army and a consider their labours; and faithful to his plan of forming
able number of elephants. Alexander managed to his European and Asiatic subjects into one people,
cross the river unperceived by the Indian king, he assigned to about eighty of his generals Asiatic
and then an obstinate battle followed, in which wives, and gave with them rich dowries. He him-
Porus was defeated after a gallant resistance, and self took a second wife, Barsine, the eldest daugh-
taken prisoner. Alexander restored to him bis ter of Darius, and according to some accounts, a
kingdom, and treated him with distinguished third, Parysatis, the daughter of Ochus. About
honour.
10,000 Macedonians also followed the example
Alexander remained thirty days on the Hydaspes, of their king and generals, and married Asiatic
during which time he founded two towns, one on women; all these received presents from the king.
each bank of the river: one was called Bucephala, Alexander also enrolled large numbers of Asiatics.
in honour of his horse Bucephalus, who died here, among his troops, and taught them the Macedonian
after carrying him through so many victories; and tactics. He moreover directed his attention to the
the other Nicaea, to commemorate his victory, increase of commerce, and for this purpose bad the
From thence he marched to the Acesines (the Euphrates and Tigris made navigable, by removing
Chinab), which he crossed, and subsequently to the the artificial obstructions which had been made in
Hydraotes (the Ravee), which he also crossed, the river for the purpose of irrigation.
to attack another Porus, who had prepared The Macedonians, who were discontented with
to resist him. But as he approached nearer, several of the new arrangements of the king, and
this Porus Aled, and his dominions were given especially at his placing the Persians on an equality
to the one whom he bad conquered on the with themselves in many respects, rose in mutiny
Hydaspes. The Cathaei, however, who also against him, which he quelled with some little
dwelt east of the Hydraotes, offered a rigorous difficulty, and he afterwards dismissed about 10,000
resistance, but were defeated. Alexander still Macedonian veterans, who returned to Europe un-
pressed forward till he reached the Hyphasis der the command of Craterus. Towards the close
(Garra), which he was preparing to cross, when of the same year (B. c. 325) he went to Ecbatana,
## p. 122 (#142) ############################################
122
ALEXANDER
ALEXANDER
where he lost his great favourite Hephaestion ; and epitomes of Justin and Diodorus Siculus, were also
his grief for his loss knew no bounds. From Ecba- compiled from earlier writers. The best modern
tana he marched to Babylon, subduing in his way writers on the subject are : St. Croix, Examen
the Cossaei, a mountain tribe ; and before he reach- critique des anciens Historiens d'Alexandre le Grand,
ed Babylon, he was met by ambassadors from Droysen, Geschichte Alexanders des Grossen ; Wil-
almost every part of the known world, who had liams, Life of Alexander; Thirlwall, History of
come to do homage to the new conqueror of Asia. Greece, vols. vi. and vii.
Alexander reached Babylon in the spring of B. C. ALEXANDER IV. (Anégavāpos), king of
324, about a year before his death, notwithstand MACEDONIA, the son of Alexander the Great and
ing the warnings of the Chaldeans, who predicted Roxana, was born shortly after the death of his
evil to him if he entered the city at that time. He father, in B. c. 323. He was acknowledged as the
intended to make Babylon the capital of his empire, partner of Philip Arrhidaeus in the empire, and was
as the best point of communication between his under the guardianship of Perdiccas, the regent,
eastern and western dominions. His schemes were till the death of the latter in B. c. 321. He was
numerous and gigantic. His first object was the then for a short time placed under the guardianship
conquest of Arabia, which was to be followed, it of Pithon and the general Arrhidaeus, and subse
was said, by the subjugation of Italy, Carthage, quently under that of Antipater, who conveyed
and the west. But his views were not confined him with his mother Roxana, and the king Philip
merely to conquest. He sent Heracleides to build Arrhidaeus and his wife to Macedonia in 326.
a fleet on the Caspian, and to explore that sea, (Diod. xviii. 36, 39. ) On the death of Antipater
which was said to be connected with the northern in 319, the government fell into the hands of
ocean. He also intended to improve the distribu- Polysperchon ; but Eurydice, the wife of Philip
tion of waters in the Babylonian plain, and for Arrhidaeus, began to form a powerful party in
that purpose sailed down the Euphrates to inspect Macedonia in opposition to Polysperchon ; and
the canal called Pallacopas. On his return to Roxana, dreading her influence, fled with her son
Babylon, be found the preparations for the Arabian Alexander into Epeirus, where Olympias had lived
expedition nearly complete ; but almost immedi- for a long time. At the instigation of Olympias,
ately afterwards he was attacked by a fever, pro Aeacides, king of Epeirus, made common cause
bably brought on by his recent exertions in the with Polysperchon, and restored the young Alex-
marshy districts around Babylon, and aggra- ander to Macedonia in 317. [AEACIDES. ] Eury-
vated by the quantity of wine he had drunk dice and her husband were put to death, and the
at a banquet given to his principal officers. He supreme power fell into the hands of Olympias.
died after an illness of eleven days, in the month (xix. 11; Justin, xiv. 5. ) But in the following
of May or June, B. C. 323. He died at the age of year Cassander obtained possession of Macedonia,
thirty-two, after a reign of twelve years and eight put Olympias to death, and imprisoned Alexander
months. He appointed no one as his successor, and his mother. They remained in prison till the
but just before his death he gave his ring to Per- general peace made in 311, when Alexander's title
diccas. Roxana was with child at the time of his to the crown was recognized. Many of his par-
death, and afterwards bore a son, who is known by tizans demanded that he should be immediately
the name of Alexander Aegus.
released from prison and placed upon the throne.
The history of Alexander forms an important Cassander therefore resolved to get rid of so dan-
epoch in the history of mankind. Unlike other gerous a rival, and caused him and his mother
Asiatic conquerors, his progress was marked by Roxana to be murdered secretly in prison. (B. C.
something more than devastation and ruin ; at 311. Diod. xix. 51, 52, 61, 105; Justin, xv. 2;
every step of his course the Greek language and Paus. ix. 7. $ 2. )
civilization took root and flourished ; and after his ALEXANDER (AN6Javopos), a MEGALOPO
death Greek kingdoms were formed in all parts of LITAN. He was originally a Macedonian, but had
Asia, which continued to exist for centuries. By received the franchise and was settled at Megalo
his conquests the knowledge of mankind was in- polis about B. c. 190. He pretended to be a de
creased; the sciences of geography, natural history scendant of Alexander the Great, and accordingly
and others, received vast additions; and it was called his two sons Philip and Alexander. His
through him that a road was opened to India, and daughter Apama was married to Amynander,
that Europeans became acquainted with the pro king of the Athamanians. Her eldest brother,
ducts of the remote East.
Philip, followed her to her court, and being of a
No contemporary author of the campaigns of vain character, he allowed himself to be tempted
Alexander survives.
