2182. In the voyage down the river, the first country Alexander came to was the Sabracans or Sambestans. This was a country as great as any in India both for population and the number of warriors. It was governed by a democratic government throughout all their cities. When they heard of the coming of the Macedonians, they armed 60,000 foot soldiers and 6000 or (as Curtius says) 8000 cavalry with 500 chariots. These were under the command of their 3 most expert captains. When the navy came to them, (For more details see Curt. l. 9. c. 15. & Pliny, l. 19. c. 1,) they were frightened by the strangeness of the sight. They recalled the invincible glory of the Macedonians and took the advice of the old men among them. They said they should avoid so imminent a danger and should submit to the Macedonians. Thereupon they sent messengers and surrendered themselves wholly into his hands. Alexander graciously received them. They gave him many gifts and the honours befitting a demigod.

2183. Four days later he came to a country which lay on both sides the river which was called the Sodrans (or Sogdans, as in Arrian) and Massanians. Alexander received them as graciously as he had done to the former. At this place on the bank of the Indus River, he built another Alexandria and selected 1000 men to populate it. He made places for merchants and docks for shipping. He repaired any of his ships that were damaged. He made Oxyartes, his father-in-law and Pithon, governors of all the country from the confluence of the Acesines and Indus Rivers to the sea. He also included all the sea coast. He sailed down the river and quickly came into the country of King Musicanus and he was there before Musicanus ever heard of his coming. Not knowing what else to do, he immediately went out to meet him and presented him with the choicest gifts that India could afford and in particular with all his elephants. He surrendered himself and all his whole kingdom into his hands and asked a pardon for not doing it sooner. Alexander pardoned him and asked about the country and the city there. (For more details see, Strabo. l. 15. p. 694, 701. which he gathered from Aristobulus and Onesicratus) Alexander restored him to his kingdom as he was before.

2184. Here he heard the complaints brought against Tiriolte or Tityeste, whom he had made governor over the Parapamisadae with his accusers in person. He found him guilty of many acts of cruelty and avarice and executed him there. He gave that government to his father-in-law, Oxyartes.

2185. He ordered Craterus to build a citadel at the city of Musicanus. This was done before Alexander left the place. He saw that location was excellent to keep neighbouring nations in check and to keep them in order.

2186. From there he sailed with his archers, Agrians and all the cavalry which he had on board, he came to another country of the Indians, called Praestans. He marched against their king Porticanus or Oxycanus because the king did not come to meet him neither did he send ambassadors to him. Alexander captured two of the largest cities in the kingdom. Porticanus was in one of them which Alexander took on the 3rd day of his siege. Porticanus fled into the citadel and sent ambassadors to treat for conditions. Before they came to Alexander, two great pieces of the wall fell flat down to the ground. Through these breaches the Macedonians rushed into the citadel. Porticanus, with those few who were with him stood on their guard. They were all killed and the citadel was pulled down. All in the town were sold for slaves. Its spoil was given to the soldiers. Alexander kept only the elephants for himself.

2187. Diodorus says that Alexander first gave those two cities to be plundered by his soldiers and then he burned them. After that he went and took in all the rest of the cities and towns and destroyed them. By this action, he struck terror into all the neighbouring countries. When the rest of the countries heard only of his coming, they sent ambassadors and surrendered to Alexander without any resistance, as Arrian notes.

2188. After this, Alexander entered the country of the Brachmanes where Sambus or Sabus or Samus according to Curtius, or Sabbas according to Plutarch, or Ambigerus according to Justin, or Ambiras, according to Orosius, was king. When he heard that Alexander was coming, he fled. When Alexander came near his main city called Sindomana or Sindonalia, he found the gates open wide for him. and Sambus' servants came to meet him with presents of money and elephants. They told him that Sambus was fled not from any hostility to him. He feared Musicanus whom Alexander had let go and pardoned and they were enemies.

2189. Alexander took in this and many other places. He went and by force and took another city which had revolted from him and put to death many of the Brachmanes who caused the revolt. For by their instigation, Sambus, who had but recently submitted to him and the cities of his kingdom had revolted from him. Curtius says that Alexander took the city by undermining the wall and that the natives stood amazed to see men rise from the ground in the middle of the city.

2190. Clitarchus as by Curtius, says that there were 8000 or rather (as Diodorus with others have it) 80000 men slain in that country. A large number were sold for slaves. The Brachmanes brought these disasters on themselves. The rest who simply submitted to him and asked for his pardon were not harmed. King Sambus saved himself and got away as far as he could with 30 elephants.

2191. Alexander had taken over 10 men of the Gymnosophistae, who had persuaded Sambus to flee away and had caused much trouble for him and his Macedonians. He asked them some hard and obscure questions and threatened to hang every man if they did not answer those questions. Plutarch records these in his "Life of Alexander" . Plutarch says that when Alexander heard their replies, he sent them away and gave them many honours for their trouble.

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2192. In the meantime, Musicanus revolted and Alexander sent Pithon with an army against him. He destroyed some of the cities in his kingdom and put garrisons in others. He built citadels to keep them in line. He captured Musicanus and brought him alive to Alexander who had him immediately crucified in his own kingdom along with as many of the Brachmanes who had encouraged him to revolt.

2193. Alexander returned to the Indus River where he had ordered his navy to wait for him. They sailed down the river again and came to a city called Harmatelia which belonged to Sambus and the Brachmanes. The inhabitants trusted in their strength and fortifications of their city and shut the gates to him. Alexander ordered 500 of his Agrians to go close under the walls with their arms. If the townsmen sallied out against them, they were to retreat. 3000 attacked the 500, who fled as they were ordered to. The enemies pursued them and came unknowingly on other companies which waited in ambush for them. Alexander waited personally for them. In the ensuing battle, 600 were killed, 1000 captured and the rest fled back into the city and stayed there. On the king's side many were grievously wounded almost to the point of death. The Indians had poisoned the heads of their weapons with a deadly poison. Ptolemy the son of Lagus was among the wounded and almost dead. It is said that Alexander in his sleep saw an herb which was a remedy for that kind of poison. The herb was squeezed into a drink and taken to neutralize the poison. Others of the wounded made use of that medicinal herb and recovered. It is most likely that someone who knew the medical value of that herb, told Alexander about it. To flatter and honour him, this fable was made up. So says Strabo, (l. 15. p. 723.) who tells this story as happening among the Oritae of whom we shall speak later.

2194. When Alexander started to besiege Harmotelia which was a strong and well fortified city, all the inhabitants came out to him and humbly begged his pardon. They surrendered themselves and their city to his pleasure. Thereupon he pardoned them.

2195. Moeris king of Patalena, its neighbouring country, came to Alexander and put himself and his kingdom wholly into his hands. When Alexander had freely restored him to his kingdom again, he ordered Moeris to provide for his army.

2196. Alexander commanded Craterus to take with him the regiments of Attalus, Meleager and Antigenes with some of his archers and of his allies and Macedonians which were grown unserviceable for the war. He was ordered to take them to Macedon by the way of Caramania through the countries of the Aracotti and Zarangi or Drangi. Some of the rest of the army were led by Hephaestion on the one side of the Indus River. The javelineers on horseback and the Agrians were led by Pithon on the other side. He was ordered to get inhabitants for the cities which Alexander had built. If any new revolts happened in those parts, he should put them down. When that was done, he was to come and join with the rest of the army at Patala.

2197. When Alexander had now sailed down the river for 3 days, he received news that Moeris with a large company of the Patalenians had left the city and fled to the mountains and woods. Thereupon, he hurried as fast as he could to get there.

2198. Strabo, (l. 15. p. 691.) tells us from Aristobulus that Alexander came into Patalene about the rising of the dog star (Sirius) had spent 10 full months in his trip down the river. For he set out shortly before the rising of the seven stars (Pleiades). Alexander arrived in Patala about the end of our July after sailing since the beginning of the 10th month previously. Hence it appears that he spent 9 full months sailing down the Hydaspes, Acesines and Indus Rivers. This we determine from rising and setting of these stars. We find Plutarch's account in this matter inaccurate. He states:

``that his sailing down the rivers to the sea took him up to 7 month's time.''

2199. Alexander came to Patala and found no inhabitants in the city and country side. He found there great numbers of flocks and herds of cattle and grain in great abundance. He quickly sent his fastest soldiers to overtake those, who had fled. As they overtook them, they were to send them away to overtake the rest and to persuade them to return. They were promised peace and their belongings and home in both the city and country.

2200. Alexander ordered Hephastion to build a citadel at Patala. He sent others into a region of theirs which was altogether destitute of water to dig wells to make it more habitable. Some of the natives attacked and killed them. When the natives had lost many of their own in the fight, the rest fled away to the woods and mountains. When Alexander heard what had happened to his men, he sent more to help them to complete the work.

2201. Alexander asked Nearchus, his admiral, to select some suitable season of the year to set out from the mouth of the Indus River and to sail along until he came to the Persian Gulf and to the mouth of the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. (Arrian in his Indica, reports from Nearchus' writings, p. 182.) Plutarch says Alexander made Nearchus the admiral of the fleet and Onesicritus its chief pilot. Onesicrtius in his story says of himself, that he was the navarch or admiral. Both (Arrian. l. 6. p. 124. & Pliny l. 6. c. 22.) call him commander of the fleet. Strabo (l. 15. p. 721.) more correctly calls him the chief pilot. See (Arrian. l. 7. p. 162. & in his Indica. p. 191.)

2202. At Patala the Indus River divides into two large branches both of which retain the name of Indus until they empty into the sea. Between these they create a triangular shaped island after which the city Patalene is called. This island is larger than the delta in Egypt. Onesicritus tells us that each side of this island is 250 miles long. Aristobulus says that the side facing the ocean is about 125 miles long. The land is marshy where the rivers empty into the sea. Nearchus and later Arrian say that this side was 225 miles wide. Pliny says that it was 220 miles wide. (Strabo, l. 15. p. 701. Pliny l. 6. c. 21. Arrian l. 5. p. 103. & l. 6. p. 135, 137.)

2203. Alexander planned to sail down to the sea by the right hand branch. He selected his fastest ships all of two decks, all his galleys of 30 oars a piece and some fast barques. He picked guides who knew the river and so set out. He wanted Leonatus with a 1000 cavalry and 8000 foot soldiers to keep up with him along the river bank.

2204. The morning after he set out, there arose a mighty storm. The wind and tide crossed each other to create huge waves on the river so that his ships collided with each other. Most of them were leaking and many of the ships of 30 oars a piece broke apart before they could get to an island which was in the middle of the channel.

2205. Alexander was forced to stay here a long while to build new vessels to replace those that were lost. His river guides had fled and he was unable to replace them. So they were forced to go on without them. When they had gone 100 miles the pilots all agreed and told Alexander that they could smell the sea and therefore the ocean could not be far away. Therefore he sent some to go ashore and get some of the natives. He thought they might be able to confirm this. They searched for people in their cottages for a long time. At last, they found some people in them whom they asked, how far away was the sea. They replied that they did not know what the sea was nor had they ever heard of any such thing. However, if they went on for 3 days, they would come to salt water which mixed with the fresh.

2206. Arrian tells us that when certain Macedonians landed, they found some Indians whom Alexander used for guides on the river for the rest of the journey. They came to the place where the river widens to 25 miles, which is its greatest width. The wind blew very strongly from off the sea and they were forced again to take refuge into a creek which his guides directed him to. Curtius says that he came on the 3rd day to salt water as he was foretold. He found there another island in the river where they observed that the boats moved not as fast as they were going because of the incoming tide.

2207. While they lay there at anchor, some went foraging. A new danger confronted them. For there came in on them a mighty tide (which to this day is usual in Cambay where the Indus River empties into the sea) and flooded all the countryside. Only the top of some hills, like so many little islands, were above water. Those who had gone ashore, resorted to these hills. When the sea was gone out again and the land left dry as it was before, then their ships were left high and dry. Either they stuck nose first into the bank or they fell over on their side. When the next tide came in, those ships which stood upright on their keels in the mud floated again with the rising of the water and were not damaged. Those that had settled on hard ground when the sea was gone out were fallen on their sides. When the tide returned, these ships were driven against one another or beaten and broken on the shore.

2208. Everything was repaired as best as the time and place would permit. Alexander sent two barques down the river to view the island which the guides had told him that he must land at if he wanted to sail out into the ocean. The natives called that island Cilluta, Alexander called it, Scillustin and others Philtucin. They brought back word to him that the island was large and had in it excellent ports and lots of fresh water. He ordered the whole navy to sail to that island. Alexander took some better vessels and went further to discover whether at the mouth of the river there was no barrier but a safe passage out into the open ocean. When he had gone 50 miles, he saw yet another island lying further out in the open ocean.

2209. Alexander returned to the former island lying at the mouth of the river and came ashore at a certain cape in it. He offered sacrifices to certain gods he said Jupiter Ammon commanded him to sacrifice to. The next day he sailed to another island lying out in the same ocean and offered more sacrifices to other gods in the same manner he had done previously. He said that what he did was by the command of Jupiter Ammon. He sailed far out of the mouth of the Indus River into the vast ocean. There he sacrificed certain oxen he had on the ship to Neptune and threw them overboard into the sea. He also made a drink offering and first poured that into the sea. Then he threw a golden vial and various golden goblets for a thank offering after it into the ocean. He prayed that since he planned to send Nearchus into the gulf of Persia, that he might safely arrive there. (Arrian. l. 6. p. 136.)

2210. Justin (l. 12. c. 10.) states that when Alexander returned to the mouth of the Indus River, he built a new city called Barce as a memorial and erected some altars there. Curtius (l. 9. c. 16.) says that at midnight he set out with a small company of ships when the tide started to go out and went far out from the mouth of the Indus River about 50 miles into the open sea. When he had done this, he sacrificed to the gods of those seas and neighbouring lands. Then he returned to the rest of his navy. Diodorus Siculus states that he went with some of his closest friends, out into the main ocean. He landed at two little inlets and offered there a magnificent sacrifice to the gods. He threw into the sea a number of very expensive golden cups and made drink offerings to the sea. When he was finished, he built some altars in honour of Tethys and Oceanus. Now that he had finished his intended voyage into the east, he returned with his navy up the river. On that journey he came to a prosperous and famous city called Hyala which government was very similar to that of Lacedemon.

2211. Two kings, descended from 2 houses, inherited their office from their fathers. They were in charge of military matters. Civil affairs were managed by a council of elders.

2212. When Alexander returned to the Patala against the stream, he found the citadel completed according to his directions. Pithon returned with his army, having completed his assigned task. Alexander planned to leave a part of his navy at Patala. The Indians of Cambais call it by this name to this very day). Here the Indus River divides into two branches. He put Hephaestion in charge of making the ports and docks for the navy.

2213. Meanwhile he made another journey to the ocean by the channel on the left hand side of the same river to determine which of the two channels was the best and easiest journey to the ocean and to return again. When he was almost at the mouth of the second channel, he found a certain lake in the channel. It was made either by this river's meandering or by waters which flow in there from other parts and made the river more wide there than in other places. The lake looked like an arm of the sea. He left there Leonatus with most of his army and with all his smaller ships. Alexander went on with his ships of 30 oars a piece and of two tiers of oars. He sailed again out into the vast ocean and found that this was the more spacious channel of the two to sail for taking commerce to Patala. He went ashore with certain cavalry and made a three day journey along the sea coast. He explored the coast where he had sailed. He had wells dug in various places for fresh water for his navy if they needed it. (Arrian. l. 6. p. 137.)

2214. The next day after his return from the ocean, Curtius (l. 9. c 10.) says that he sailed up the river to a certain salt water lake. Some men went into it not knowing the nature of it. They developed an infectious scab that spread to others. However, they quickly found an oil which cured it. If this was the same lake which I mentioned before from Arrian, then in all this history concerning Alexander's last return from the ocean, no author mentions this except for Arrian.

2215. When Alexander returned to Patala the second time, he sent a part of his army to dig those wells by the sea side. He ordered them to return to Patala as soon as they were done. He sailed again into the lake and made there new ports and other docks for his ships. He left a garrison there and stored a 4 month supply of grain and other supplies for the coastal voyage. (Arrian. l. 6. p. 137.) Now it seems that at this lake he built the city called Potana so that he might have a good port for his navy in that part of the ocean. (Diod. Sic. l. 3. p. 181. in the Greek and Latin edition, compared with Agatharchides, his Excerptions in Photius, Cod. 250. c. 51) and with this place in Arrian.)

2216. Curtius (l. 9. c. 16, 17.) writes that Alexander with his army stayed on the island of Patalena awaiting the arrival of spring. During that time he built many cities there. As winter was drawing to an end, he burned his ships which were unserviceable and marched away by land. Strabo (l. 15. p. 721.) states that towards the summer season, (which according to his account always began with the spring) he left India. I think he would not have said this had he better considered what Alexander said and was later affirmed by Nearchus, who was admiral concerning this voyage. He says:

``When the king was now on his way, he himself began his voyage in the autumn when the Pleiades or seven stars began to appear in the evening.''

2217. Therefore it is obvious that in September, Alexander had sent Leonatus before him to dig wells in suitable places for the army in their overland march through a dry and desert country. He burned his ships which were leaky. He marched from Patala and came with all his army to the bank of the Arbis or Arabis. This river separates the Arbites or the Arabites and India (whom Dionysius Periegetes calls the Aribes and others call Abrite) from the Orites. For the Arbites inhabit the sea shore of India which lies between the Indus and Arbis Rivers for a distance of 125 miles according to Nearchus. (in Strabo, l. 15. p. 720. & Arrianus in his Indica, p. 185. in fi.) These are the farthest Indian people to the west. (Arrian. in his Indica, p. 184. & Pliny. l. 7. c. 2.) They are neighbours to the Oritans (Pliny, l. 6. c. 23. & Arrian in his Indica, p. 185.) and speak their own language that is different from the Indians.

2218. These Arbites or Arabites were a free state living under their own laws. They were not strong enough to withstand Alexander nor willing to submit to him. As soon as they heard of his coming, they fled away to the woods and wildernesses.

2219. Alexander turned the rest of his army over to Hephaestion. He took one half of his silver targeteers, some of his archers, some regiments called Asseteri and a troop of his fellow cavaliers. From every regiment of cavalry he took one troop and all his archers on horseback. He kept the ocean on his left and journeyed westward. He ordered a number of wells dug along the seaside to supply his navy with fresh water when they passed by on their way to the Gulf of Persia.

2220. As soon as Alexander left, the Patalenians were inspired with fresh courage and the desire for liberty. They attacked Nearchus and the army that was left with him and forced him to flee to his ships. He had no wind to sail with. (Strabo from Nearchus l. 15. p. 721.) For before the beginning of winter, which began with the rising of the Pleiades in the month of our November in those parts, it was a poor time for sailing. (Arrian. l. 6. p. 137.)

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2221. Therefore as soon as the etesian or trade winds were ended Nearchus prepared for the voyage. These winds blew all summer long from the sea to land and made all navigation along that coast impossible. When Nearchus sacrificed to Jupiter the deliverer and held certain gymnastic games, he set sail from there in the 11th year of Alexander's reign. This was the time when Cephisodorus was the archon of Athens. He left on the 20th day of the month Boedromion or October 1st according to the Julian Calendar. (This I have already showed in my discourse of the solar year among the Macedonians c. 2.) (Arrian. his Indica.) Now we had the name of Cephisidorus 4 years earlier in year 3 of the 113rd Olympiad and also 3 years later in year 2 of the 114th Olympiad. This was the year following Alexander's death according to the tables of the archons of Athens. If this name was correctly recorded by Arrian in this place, then this Cephisidorus may be the same person because of the closeness of the times. Then the following differences will happen in the 4th year of the 113th Olympiad for the names of the archons of Athens between Diodorus Sicilus, Dionysius of Halicarnassus and Arrian:

Olympiad 113
Year	Diodorus	Dionysius	Arrian
1	Euthycritus	Euthycritus	Hegemon
2	Chremes	Hegemon	Chremes
3	Anticles	Chremes	Cephisodorus
4	Sosicles	Anticles	Anticles

2222. Pliny tells us that Alexander built a city at the place where Nearchus and Onesicratus started on their intended voyage. It is the same city we find called, Xulinopolis. (l. 6. c. 23.) It is amazing that in the same place, he adds that no man can farm there on that river. For where should it be, but on the island of Patalene, where they were left by Alexander to wait for a suitable season to begin their voyage. Where else but on the Indus River where the navy sailed and along which that fleet passed when it sailed down to the ocean. (Arrian from Nearchus, in his Indica, p. 183.)

2223. The 1st day after they sailed from the port of Xulinopolis to go down the Indus River, they came to a good deep channel called Stura about 12.5 miles from the port. They anchored here for 2 days.

2224. The 3rd day they sailed and came to another channel about 3.75 miles downstream. They found the water a little brackish. The tide had come up that far and mixed with the fresh water. This left a taste of salt in the place even at low tide. The name of the place was Caumana.

2225. From there they parted and came to a place 2.5 miles farther down on the river called Coreatis.

2226. They sailed again and had not gone far when they spied a rocky reef just at the place of the Indus River's mouth. It stretched to the shore which was also very rocky. They put in with the tide where the ground was softer and better to land ships at. They made a ditch 5/8 of a mile long as a breakwater between them and the sea.

2227. They sailed on for another 19 miles and came to a sandy island called Crocala and stayed there another day. Near the island on the mainland lived the Indian tribe called the Arabii from the Arabius River. This river divides them, as was said before, from the Oritans.

2228. Their journey is described in detail by Arrian from Nearchus' accounts (l. 6. p. 143.) and later by Jo. Ramusius, in his Navigations. (l. 1. fol. 169.) The high points of the voyage are described by Pliny (l. 6. c. 23.) as gathered from Onesicritus by King Juba. Those words from him show this where he says:

``It is fit I should here set down what Onesicritus records of this voyage, wherein he was by the command of Alexander, sailed from India into the very Mediterranean parts of Persia. From him again the story is related by King Juba.''

2229. From this we may also understand those next words of Pliny:

``The voyage of Nearchus and Onesicritus, had neither names of places where they landed nor distances from one place to another.''

2230. That is, as it is described by Juba or Onesicritus himself. For that both were told by Nearchus, as from Arrian noting from his account and has recorded both the one and the other.

2231. When Alexander had crossed the Arbis or Arabius River, the next night he marched through a great part of the sandy country and came the next morning into places that were well inhabited and cultured. He left the foot soldiers to follow in good array. He went on horseback with several troops and squadrons in very good order. They were widely spread out that they might take in and clear all the country before them. They were attacked by the Oritans. Many of them were killed or taken prisoner. Then they came to the bank of a small river and camped there.

2232. Alexander divided his company into three brigades. He gave one to Ptolemy to lead along by the coast, the second to Leonatus to pass through the middle of the country and its plain. Alexander took the third brigade and marched into the hill and mountainous country of that region. He wasted all that he found whereby the soldiers enriched themselves and slew many 10,000's of men.

2233. When Hephaestion, who had the greater part of the whole army under his command, came to Alexander, he marched forward to Rambacia. This was the principal division of all that country. When he found a place by the seaside, safe from all wind and weather, he presently ordered Hephaestion to build a city there. When it was finished it was called Alexanderia. He relocated the Arachosians to live there.

2234. Alexander took half of his silver targeteers, Agrians, a squadron of cavalry and archers on horseback. He marched away to the borders of the Oritans and Gediosians where he was told there was a narrow pass which separated the two countries. Both countries were camped there with their armies to keep the pass. No sooner had they heard of his coming but most of them abandoned the place and fled. Thereupon the chief of the Oritans went to him and submitted themselves and their whole country to him. The only charge which he laid upon them was to call home their country men to their homes. They were to assure them that in so doing all would be well with them and they would receive no harm.

2235. Alexander made Apollophanes joint governor of the Oritans with Leonatus, a captain of his bodyguard. He left Leonatus all his Agrians and some of his archers. He ordered the Oritans to await the coming of the fleet into those parts. In the meantime they were to go and help with the building of a new city and to order all matters there for the benefit of the people.

2236. He then marched with most of his army (for now Hephaestion had come to him) into the country of the Gedrosians which was mostly abandoned by the inhabitants. In this desert, Aristobulus says the Phoenicians which followed the army, bought what was sold there. They loaded their camels with myrrh and spikenard. Such spices and apothecary ware grew in abundance there. The whole army used it for coverings and beds to lie on. The spikenard which they walked over, gave off a most sweet smell that spread afar off. (Arrian. l. 6. p. 138. & Strabo, l. 15. p. 721.)

2237. He sent Craterus before him with a part of the army into the midland countries. He was to subdue Arimania (all the regions to the west of India even as far as Carmania were called this) and to go into those places which Alexander planned to go through. Craterus marched through the countries of the Aracotti and the Drangae. He subdued by force the country of Choarma which refused to submit. (Strabo, l. 15. p. 721, 725.) When Ozines (whom Arian calls Ordones) and Tariaspes who were two Persian nobles, revolted in Persia, Craterus subdued them by force and laid them in irons. (Curt. l. 9. c. 18.)

2238. Alexander with another part of the army went through the country of Gedrosia about 60 miles from the sea. Sometimes they camped near the sea. They marched through a barren, craggy, dry and desolate country. Alexander wanted to go by the sea coast all along so that he might discover what places there were in those parts fit to make ports in and make provision for his fleet. It was to come that way by his orders and for that purpose, he had wells dug and made ports for his navy. (Strabo, l. 15. p. 721. & Arrian. 16. p. 139.)

2239. For this purpose, he sent before him Thoantes with a competent company of cavalry to scout the sea coast. He was to see whether there were any good landing places or fresh water near the shore or other suitable provisions for them. When he returned to Alexander, he told him that he found there some poor fishermen. They lived in little cottages built and covered over with shells of fishes and the backbones of them serving for rafters. The men used little water and they had to dig for it in the sand and the water was not very sweet.

2240. Alexander finally came into a country of the Gedrosians where there was a supply of grain. He seized it all and sealed the sacks with his own signet. He placed it on wagons and sent it all away to the seaside. While he went to the next ports, the soldiers, broke the seals, opened the sacks and ate all the grain to satisfy their extreme hunger. Those who were the leaders in this matter were the ones entrusted with keeping it. When Alexander understood that it was done because of their hunger, he overlooked it. He sent all over the country to get more grain and had Cretheus carry it away to the seaside to supply the fleet and the army. The fleet at that very time landed in those parts. Alexander ordered the natives to go farther up into the country and from there to bring as much flour, dates and cattle as they possibly could. They were to carry it to be sold at the seaside to the army. He sent Telephus one of his friends to get more provisions of flour. He found some quantity of it although not much and carried it to another port according to his orders.

2241. Meanwhile some of the Oritans who dwelt in the mountains attacked Leonatus' brigade and killed a great number of them and then retired to safety again, according to Diodorus. Then the whole country of the Oritans joined with other neighbouring countries and made an army of some 8000 foot soldiers and 400 cavalry and made a general revolt. Leonatus attacked them and killed 6000 of their foot soldiers but he died in that fight. Apollophanes was the governor of that country and was appointed by Alexander, as we noted before. (Curt. l. 9. c. 18. Arrian. l. 7. p. 149. and in his Indica, p. 184.)

2242. Nearchus landed at this place with his fleet and loaded provisions of grain provided by Alexander. This would serve his army on board for 10 days. He repaired his ships that were leaky. He left any unfit sailors with Leonatus to serve on land and took others in their place from his companies. (Arrian. in his Indica, p. 185.)

2243. Philippus, whom Alexander had made governor over the Oxydracans and Mallians, was attacked and murdered by his own mercenary troops. The murderers were attacked by the Macedonians who were his guard. They shortly were taken and hewed in pieces for their deeds.

2244. It is said that Alexander endured more hardships and suffered more losses in the country of the Gedrosians than he did in all Asia. Of that army which he went into India, he scarcely brought a quarter of them out of Gedrosia. They endured grievous diseases, poor diet, burning heat, deep sands, shortages of water and famine. Nearchus says that Alexander knew of the difficulties of going that way. Purely from selfwilled ambition which reigned or rather raged in him, he was determined to force his way through. Someone had told him that Semiramis and Cyrus had gone that way into India. Therefore he was determined to return the same way out of it although it was told him that she was forced to save herself by fleeing from there with only 20 men in her company and Cyrus with only 7. Alexander thought to enhance his reputation if when they suffered there so much, he would be able to get out with his army safe and sound. Therefore Nearchus says that this desire to return home this way was partly from this ambition and partly to favour and relieve his navy which he had appointed to meet him in those parts. His guides lost their way through those vast sands because the wind had covered all the tracks which lead through the desert. Alexander had a hunch that the way must be on the left hand. He took a small company of cavalry with him and went to see whether he could find the sea shore. Their horses were all exhausted except for 5 by the length and heat of the journey. He left them behind and went with those 5 and came to the sea coast. He dug for a while and found fresh water to drink. Presently he sent back for his whole army to come there to him. When they came, he marched forward for 7 days along the sea coast and found plenty of fresh water all the way. When his guides recognised the way again, they led him up into the midland countries, as he wanted. (Strabo, l. 15. p. 722. Arrian. p. 142.)

2245. After 2 months he left the country of the Oritans and came to the chief city of the Gedrosians, called Pura. He rested his army there and refreshed them with feasting, as was very fitting and a good time for him to do so. (Strabo, l. 15. p. 723. Arrian. p. 140, 142. & Plut. in Alexan.)

2246. From there he sent away the swiftest couriers that he could possibly find to Phrataphernes whom he had left governor of Parthia and to the two governors of the provinces of Drangia and Aria which lay at the foot of the Taurus Mountain. They were ordered to assemble as many camels, dromedaries and others with all sorts of beasts of burden as they possibly could. They were all to be loaded with supplies of all sorts and sent immediately to meet him when he first entered into the country of Carmania. These letters were speedily carried to them and obeyed. When he came into Carmania he found there all kinds of provisions ready for him and his army at the appointed place.

2247. Menon, the governor of the Arachosians, recently died. Alexander appointed Sibyrtius as governor of both Arachosia and Gedrosia.

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2248. As Alexander was marching towards Carmania, he received news of the death of Philippus, the governor of the Oxydracans and Mallians. Thereupon he wrote to Eudemus and Taxilas and in his letters he gave them the charge of these two provinces until he would send a governor to replace Philip.

2249. As soon as he entered Carmania, Asaspes the governor of that province met him. He was suspected that he would have revolted from Alexander while he was in India. Alexander concealed the grudge he had toward him and received him very graciously. He treated him according to his rank and station. Meanwhile, Alexander tried to determine if the charges were true.

2250. Craterus came to Alexander with the rest of the army and the elephants. He brought with him Ordones or Ozines and Zariaspes whom he had taken into custody for trying to revolt in Persia. Stasanor, the governor of the provinces of Parthia and Hircania came to him with the captains and commanders of all those forces which he had formerly left with Parmenion in the province of Media. That is Cleander, Sitalces, Heracon and Agetho who brought him 5000 foot soldiers and 1000 cavalry.

2251. Various governors in the parts of India sent him a huge number of horses and other beasts of burden. Some were for pack animals and others for military use. These came from every country of his dominions in India. Stasanor and Phrataphernes brought him a huge number of draft horses and camels. Alexander distributed them all among those that wanted them to carry their goods with. He gave some to select captains and the rest he distributed among the soldiers, by troops and companies, as he saw was needed. He also armed his soldiers with new weapons. The reason was they now drew near to Persia. It was a peaceful and very wealthy country.

2252. Alexander (as Arrian reports from Aristobulus) offered a sacrifice of thanksgiving to his gods for his victory over the Indians and for the safe journey of his army from Gedrosia. He entertained his armies with sports of music, wrestlings and such like. Moreover he made Pencestes, who covered him with his shield in the country of the Mallians, to be the chief captain of his bodyguard. At that time, only 7 men had this honour, Leonatus, Hephaestion, Lysimachus, Aristonus (all born in Pella), Perdiccas a Macedonian, Ptolemy the son of Lagus and Pithon. The 8th man was Pencestes for his bravery in saving the king from the Mallians. Other writers, including Diodorus, Curtius and Plutarch, state that Alexander imitated Bacchus. In a drunken manner, he with his army spent 7 days crossing through Carmania. (Diod. Sic. & Plutarch in the life of Alexander and in the book of his good fortune & Curt. l. 9. c. 18. l. 3. c. 9, 24. l. 8. c. 19.) Arrian thinks this was unlikely since neither Ptolemy, Aristobulus nor any other credible writer mentions it.

2253. Aspastes the governor of Carmania, was put to death and was replaced by Tlepolemus. (Curt. l. 9. c. 18. Arrian. l. 6. p. 142. & in his Indica, p. 193.)

2254. Cleander and Sitalces who slew Parmenion by Alexander's orders, were accused to Alexander for many villainies (which I mentioned before) which they had done along with their subordinates and the army. Their act of killing Parmenion could not atone for such a number of villainies and gross misbehaviour as they were charged with. Therefore Alexander put them in chains to be executed when he thought fit. However, Alexander executed the 700 private soldiers whom they had used as to perform their villainies. At the same time Alexander had Ozines and Zariaspes executed whom Craterus had brought as prisoners for attempting to rebel in Persia as we noted before.

2255. Meanwhile Nearchus had sailed along the coast of the Arabians, the Oritans, the Gedrosians and the Icthyophagians (so called because they lived only upon fish) and arrived in the Gulf of Persia. He came to Harmozia or Armusia (which is now called Orus or Ormusa) and there drew up his ships. He went overland with a small retinue to Alexander. A Greek from Alexander's army told Nearchus that Alexander was not more than a 5 day journey from there. He found Alexander in a sea town called Salmus, busy making a stage play there and sitting in the open theatre.

2256. Alexander sacrificed there to Jupiter, by the name of a deliverer and to Hercules and Apollo, the deliverer from evil and Neptune for bringing his army safely across the ocean. He held sports, games of music and other gymnastic exercises. He had a pageant that was led by Nearchus. All the army worked to get flowers and garlands to bestow on him.

2257. When Alexander had heard the entire story of the voyage, he sent Nearchus back to the fleet with a small army to escort him. The whole country which he was to pass through was thought to be friendly. Alexander wanted him to sail up as far as the mouth of the Euphrates and be ready to row up to Babylon when ordered to.

2258. Tlepolemus was barely governor of Carmania, when the natives rebelled and took over the principal and strongest places of that country. These also attacked Nearchus on his return in various places so that he was often forced to flee 2 or 3 times in a day. After much trouble, he came safely to the sea side. He sacrificed to Jupiter his deliverer and held games of dancing, running, wrestling and the like. Then he sailed from Ormuse and followed the coast of the Persian Gulf. He finally came to the mouth of the Euphrates River. (Arrian. in his Indica from Nearchus)

2259. When Alexander received letters from Porcus and Taxiles that Abisarus was dead, he gave his kingdom to his son. He sent Eudemon or Eudemus who was commander of the Thracians to take over the government of the Oxydracans and Mallians and replace Philip who was killed.

2260. Alexander sent Hephaestion with the larger part of the army and with the wagons and elephants to go from Carmania to Persia by sea. The Persian Sea in the winter is always calm and there was abundant supplies in those parts.

2261. Stasanor was sent back to his government. Alexander with the choicest of his foot soldiers, the cavalry of his confederates and some of his archers marched to Pasargadas in Persia. He gave money to the women as was the custom of the Persian kings. Whenever they came into Persia, they gave to every woman there a piece of gold.

2262. As soon as he entered Persia, Orsines or Orxines met him. After the death of Phrasaortes, he was appointed governor there since Alexander was away far off in India. By Orsines' authority, the Persians were kept in subjection and in allegiance to Alexander until he ordered another governor to replace the dead one. Orsines was descended from one of the seven princes of Persia and traced his lineage from Cyrus. He came and met Alexander. He presented him and all his friends with rich gifts. He gave nothing to Bagoas the eunuch and the king's other homosexual lovers. He said it was not the Persian custom to show any respect to men who allowed themselves to be sexually used as women. This proved later to be the reason of his death. (Curt. l. 4. c. 27. & l. 10. c. 3. Arrian. l. 6.)

2263. While he was at Pasargadas there Atropates, the governor of Media arrived bringing with him the prisoner Baryaxes a Median who had worn his turban upright and called himself king of the Medes and Persians. Therefore he brought him as a prisoner to the king along with all those who had been part of the conspiracy. Alexander had them all executed immediately.

2264. Alexander was most of all offended at that vandalism of Cyrus' monument. He found it all broken down and spoiled. All the precious things which he had previously seen there except for a lector and a golden urn in which his body was placed, was stolen. The urn was broken and the covering of the urn taken off and his very body tumbled from it by those sacrilegious thieves. They had also tried to hew in pieces and batter the urn or coffin so they could carry it away in pieces more easily. This they were unable to do and they left it behind. Alexander ordered Aristobulus to rebuild his sepulchre as it was before. The parts of his body which were left were to be placed into the urn again and a new cover made for it. He was to restore everything as it was before. Then he was to seal the door which led into the chapel where the body lay with lime and stone and place the impression of the king's seal upon it. (Strabo from Aristobulus, l. 5. p. 173. & Arrian l. 6. fin.)

2265. After this Alexander commanded the magi who guarded the sepulchre to be racked to make them confess who did this sacrilege. When they told him nothing they were let go. However, Plutarch says that Polymachus a Pellaean noble was put to death by Alexander for opening and looking into the sepulchre.

2266. From Pasargada, Alexander marched to Persepolis the royal seat of the kings of Persia. On his previous visit he had set it on fire and burned it to the very ground. However on his return there, he blamed himself for doing this. Orsines the governor there was falsely accused of many misdeeds. He is said to have spoiled and robbed the king's houses and sepulchres of the dead and executed many of the Persian nobility. In particular, Bagoas the eunuch put it into the king's head that perhaps it was Orsines that had robbed the sepulchre of Cyrus too. For he said that he had heard Darius say there were 3000 talents stored there. Bagoas persisted so far with the king that he immediately caused the noblest person of all the Persian nation and Alexander's most affectionate servant to be crucified. Hence Bagoas got revenge against Orsines because he disapproved of Bagoas' homosexual lifestyle.

2267. At the same time, Phradtes, who had been formerly governor of the Hircanains, Mardians and Tapyrians was suspected of making himself a king and was executed. (Curt. l. 8. c. 8. & l. 10. c. 4.)

2268. Alexander made Pencestes governor of Persia. He had proved his worth many times over especially in that danger of his among the Mallians. Of all the Macedonians, only Pencestes adopted Median clothes and started to learn the Persian language and began to order all matters after the Persian attire. Alexander commended him greatly for this and the Persians were glad to see him use the Persian rather than the Macedonian attire.

2269. A new fancy struck Alexander. He wanted go down the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers to see the Persian Sea and how those rivers entered into the Ocean. This he had done at the Indus River's mouth. Also, he planned to sail around the coast of Arabia first and then of all Africa. He would return into the Mediterranean Sea and to Macedon by the way of Hercules' Pillars. (Arrian. l. 7.) When he was in this frame of mind, he ordered the governors of Mesopotamia to buy timber in Lebanon and to carry it to Thapsacus a city in Syria. They were to make keels for huge ships to be built on. They were not all of seven banks of oars high, as Curtius says. Some were of one size and some of another as we shall see shortly from Aristobulus. They were all to be brought overland to Babylon. The kings of Cyprus were ordered to provide brass, equipment and sails for this fleet, (Curt. l. 10. c. 2.)

2270. Nearchus and Onesicritus arrived with the fleet at the mouth of the Euphrates and anchored at Diridoris which is the chief market town of the whole province of Babylon. The merchants of Arabia sold their frankincense and spices here. When they heard that Alexander wanted to go to Susa, they went back and over to the mouth of the Pasitigris River. They rowed up that river and came to a country well inhabited and with plentiful provisions. When they had rowed about 19 miles, they came to an harbour there. They stayed there and waited for the return of those whom Nearchus had sent to find out where the king was. Meanwhile Nearchus sacrificed there to the gods, his deliverers and held games. All sailors were involved in this pastime and merriment. (Arrian. in his Indica.)

2271. Calanus was an Indian and of the Gymnosophista or the sect of Philosophers who went naked. In all his 73 years he had never felt an ache in his bones or other sickness in his body. He happened now to become ill with his first sickness at Pasargadas. He began to feel sick and he grew weaker every day. When he came to the borders of Susa, (for there it was that this happened according to Diodorus and not in a suburb of the city of Babylon according to Elian. l. 5. Varia. Histor. c. 6.) he asked Alexander if he would make a large pile of wood. When he climbed on top of it, he wanted some of his servants to set it on fire. At first the king endeavoured to dissuade him from his plan. When he could not, the man told him he would die some other way. Alexander ordered a pile of wood made as he desired. He had Ptolemy the son of Lagus take care of this. (Diod. Sic. l. 17. Strabo, l. 15. p. 686, 717. & Arrian. l. 7.) As he was going to the pile of wood, he greeted and kissed the hands and bade farewell to all the rest of his friends. He would not kiss Alexander's hand for he said that he would meet with him at Babylon and would have lots of time to kiss it there. He meant that Alexander would die at Babylon and predicted his death there. (Arrian. l. 7. p. 160. Plut. in Alex. Cic. l. 1. De Divinat. Valer. Max. l. 1. c. 8.)

2272. Nearchus tells us that as soon as the fire was started, Alexander had the trumpets sound. All the army that were there gave a shout as if they had been ready to join in a battle. Also at the same time the elephants made a noise like they used to do when they entered into a battle. It was as if all had planned to honour the funeral of Calanus. (Arrian.)

2273. Chares of Mitylene, adds that Alexander to honour his funeral proclaimed a prize for the musicians and wrestlers. To please the Indian nation, he held a drinking match which was their custom. He awarded a talent to him who could drink the most, 30 pounds for second prize and 20 for the third prize. Alexander held a feast for his friends and captains. At that feast, Promachus drank the most. He drank 4 gallons and one bottle and was awarded first prize. He died three days later. 35 of the rest were chilled by the event. 6 others died shortly thereafter in their tents. (Athenaus, l. 10. c. 12. Plutarch in Alexander. Elian, Varia. Histor. l. 2. c. 42.)

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2274. Nearchus and Onesicritus with their naval forces continued their course up the Pasitigris River and came to a recently built bridge over which Alexander with his army was to pass. They sailed into Susa and laid anchor. (Arrian. in his Indica, p. 197.) Pliny (l. 6. c. 23.) says they found him at Susa observing a holiday. This was 7 months after he left them at Patala and in the 3rd month after they set sail from there. This really was in the sixth month since we have already shown that they left Patalene in the next month after he left them at the city Patala.

2275. When the naval and land forces came together, Alexander offered sacrifices again for both his navy's and army's preservation. He held plays and games for it. Wherever Nearchus went through the camp, every man scattered flowers and placed garlands on him. (Arrian. in his Indica, p. 197.)

2276. After Alexander had sent away Attopates to his province, he marched to Susa. Abulites who had made no preparation at all for his entertainment, only presented him with 3000 talents of silver. Alexander ordered him to lay it before his horses. When they would not do it Alexander asked for what purpose then is this money? Plutarch says that Alexander laid Abulites in irons and ran his son Oxathres or Oxyartes through with a javelin. Arrian says that he put both the father and son to death for their bad behaviour in the government at Susa.

2277. Many of the people of the countries which he had conquered, came in and complained about their governors. The governors never even dreamed that Alexander would ever return alive from India. Therefore they committed many and monstrous outrages on the temples of their gods, the sepulchres of the dead and the on their subjects and property. Alexander ordered all of those governors to be executed in the view of those who came to complain against them without any respect of nobility, favour or service which they had done. He executed Cleander and Sitalees whom he had condemned while he was yet in Carmania because they were as guilty as the rest. Heracon who up until now had escaped scot free, was now accused by the men of Susa for robbing and ransacking their temple. He was convicted and executed. Alexander was ready to listen to even a slight accusation about trivial matters and to punish it with death and torment. He did this even for small offences because he thought that they who acted improperly on small matters intended greater evils in their mind.

2278. When the fame of Alexander's severity against his officials spread, many feared what would become of them knowing how they had behaved. Some got all the money they could and fled to parts unknown. Others who commanded mercenary troops, openly revolted from Alexander. Thereupon Alexander sent letters to all the governors of the countries throughout all Asia to disband and send away all mercenary troops. (Diod. Sic. year 2. Olymp. 113.)

2279. No sooner then were the mercenary troops discharged, then they wandered over all Asia with no work. They lived from the spoil of the country until at length they all came into one body at Tenarus in Laconia. Likewise all the commanders and governors of the Persians who were left, gathered together what men and money they could and came to Tenarus. They all joined their forces together there. (Diod. Sic. year 3. Olymp. 113. & year 2. Olymp. 114.)

2280. Alexander married Statira, the eldest daughter of Darius, and according to Aristobulus, Parysaris, the youngest daughter of Ochus. He gave Drypates, the youngest daughter of Darius and his own wife's sister in marriage to Hephaestion. He gave to Craterus, Amestris, the daughter of Oxyarta or Oxathra, a daughter of Oxathres, the brother of Darius. Perdiccas married the daughter of Attopates the governor of Media. Nearchus married the daughter of Spitamenes the Bactrian. He gave to Ptolemy the son of Lagus, the captain of his bodyguard and to Eumenes the two daughters of Artabazus and sisters to Barsina. By whom, though not in lawful wedlock, Alexander had a son called Hercules. Ptolemy's wife was called Artacama or Apama. Eumenes married Artonis. Note that the name "Barsine" in Arrian, (l. 7. p. 148.) is written for "Statira". However, in Plutarch, in the beginning of the Life of Eumenes, he so names his wife instead of "Artonis".

2281. To all the rest of his friends, Alexander gave wives, from the most illustrious families that were of the Medes and Persians. The number according to Arrian was 80 or 90 according to Elian or 92 according to Chares, or 100 according to Plutarch in his discourse of the Fortune of Alexander. These marriages of Alexander and his friends were all made and solemnised at the same time. The king bestowed a dowry for each one of them. For 5 days they celebrated these marriages with pomp, magnificent feasts and parties according to Elian. (l. 8. c. 7. Var. Hist. & by Atheneus, Deipnosoph. l. 12. c. 18. from Chares of Mytylene, l. 10 of his History of Alexander.) To each of the 9000 guests, he gave a golden vial to sacrifice a drink offering with. To the rest of the 10,000 Macedonians who had formerly married wives from Asia he gave each man wedding gifts.

2282. Moreover, he thought it fitting at this time to pay every one of his soldiers' debts from his own funds. He ordered that each one should submit a ticket of what he owed and they would be given the money to pay their debt. At first very few gave in their tickets for they feared that this was but a scheme of the king's to find out who they were that could not live on their pay because of their riotous living. Among those who submitted a ticket was Antigenes. He had only one eye and had lost the other under Philip at the siege of Perinthis by an arrow from the wall. He pretended to be more in debt than indeed he was and brought a man to the pay master who affirmed that he had lent Antigenes so much money. Thereupon Antigenes received the money he asked for. The king was later informed of this abuse and was very angry. Alexander forbade him from ever coming within his court and removed him from his office. Antigenes took this ignominy to heart and thought to commit suicide. When Alexander knew of this, he forgave him and allowed him to enjoy his money.

2283. When Alexander heard that many who were truly in debt would not turn in their names to be given money to pay their debts, he publicly blamed them for being so distrustful of him. He said that a king should only be honest with his subjects just as the subjects should think the king was totally honest and fair to them. Then he had tables to be set out in various places of the camp with money on them. Whoever brought in his ticket of what he owed, received his money immediately without being asked so much as what his name was. Then they began to believe that Alexander was a man of his word.

2284. The money he distributed among his soldiers amounted to about 20,000 talents, according to Justin and Arrian. Diodorus is likely more accurate when he says it was less than 10,000 talents. Curtius and Plutarch say that of 10,000 talents brought, there were only 130 left after all were paid. Curtius says:

``So that army the conqueror of so many nations, brought yet more honour and glory then spoil and riches from Asia.''

2285. Alexander gave other gifts at that time to various men in the army either according to degree and quality or in regard of some memorable service which they had done. For those who excelled in this bravery, he gave in addition crowns of gold to wear. The first one was given to Pencestes who protected him with his shield against the Mallians. The next he gave to Leonatus, who at the same time also fought most courageously in his defence and had on occasion behaved most bravely in the country of the Oritans. The third he gave to Nearchus who had brought his navy and army on ships safely from India through the ocean. The fourth crown was given to Onesicritus, the pilot of the king's ships. Hephaestion and other captains of his bodyguard received crowns also.

2286. Meanwhile the governors of various cities which he had built and various provinces he had subdued, brought 30,000 troops to him at Susa from Persia and other nations. (See note on 3676 AM.) These were all good strong young men. These were selected by the king's command and trained in the Macedonian military manner. They were all gloriously armed and camped before the walls of Susa. When they had proven their readiness and skill in military discipline before the king, the king highly reward them. He called them the Epigoni, that is, of a later troop replacing those who in feats of chivalry and conquering the world had gone before them.

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2287. Alexander had turned over most of his land army to Hephaestion to be led to the coast of the Persian Gulf. He had ordered his navy to come to the country of Susa. He sailed there with his silver targeteers, his phalanx or main squadron and part of his fellow cavalliers. They sailed down the Ulay River into the Persian Gulf. Before he came there, he left many of his ships which were leaky or damaged. With the rest he sailed from the mouth of that river by sea to the Tigris River. The rest he sent up the channel connecting the Tigris with the Ulay River and so they all came to the Tigris River.

2288. Alexander sailed along the shore of the Persian Gulf which lies between the mouth of the Ulay and Tigris Rivers and came to his camp. Hephaestion with the army was waiting for his arrival. He returned again to the city of Opis on the bank of the Tigris River. As he went on, he had all the dams, locks and sluices removed which the Persians had made on that river to hinder enemy access by the sea to Babylon. He said they were devises of little worth. (Arrian. l. 7. with Strabo. l. 16. p. 740.)

2289. As soon as he came to Opis, he called all his army together and declared to them what his plans were. He wanted to discharge all who through age or otherwise found themselves unfit for military service. These would be free to return home. He promised to make the conditions of those who stayed so wonderful and to bestow such gifts upon them as to make their eyes ache of those who were idle at home. This would encourage the rest of the Macedonians to come and share with them in their fortunes.

2290. He did this planning to honour the Macedonians. However, they took it as if he was ashambed of them and counted them no better than a company of useless men for his wars. They seemed anxious to recall all other grievances and occasions of discontent he had done to them. He was wearing a Median robe and that all those marriages that he made were all solemnized after the Persian manner. Pencestes his governor of Persia had turned completely Persian both in clothing and language. Alexander delighted too much in these new customs and foreign fashions. The Bactrians, Sogdians, Arachosians, Zarangians, Arians, Parthians and Persian cavalry who were called Euaca were mixed with and counted among his fellow cavaliers. There was a 5th Brigade of cavalry set up. It was not composed completely of foreigners but yet an increasing the number of his cavalry were from foreign countries. Cophes the son of Artabazus, Hydarves and Artiboles, the two sons of Mazaeus, Itanes the son of Oxyartes and brother to Roxane, Alexander's wife, Aegobares and his brother Mithrobaeus were in this new regiment. Hydaspes a Bactrian, was the commander over that regiment. Instead of the Macedonian spear, they used a javelin, after the custom of the foreign nations. He had created a new company of young foreigners and called them Epigoni and armed them after the Macedonian manner. Finally, in all things he despised and scorned the Macedonian discipline and customs and even the Macedonians themselves. Therefore they all cried out and desired to be discharged and to serve no longer in the wars. They bid him and his father Hammon to go and fight after this if they wanted to since he grew weary of and cared no more for his own soldiers who had previously fought for him.

2291. In this revolt, Alexander, enraged as he was, leaped off the place where he stood speaking to them. With such captains as were around him, he flew in among them and took 13 of the principal rebels who had stirred up this sedition among the rest. He delivered them to the serjeants to be bound hand and foot and thrown into the Tigris River. So great was either the dread of the king on them or the resolution of the king himself in executing them according to marshal discipline that they took their death so patiently as they did. Then Alexander accompanied by only his friends and captians of his bodyguard, went to his lodging. He neither ate nor slept nor allowed any man to come into his presence all that day nor the one following.

2292. On the 3rd day, he ordered the Macedonians to stay in their tents and called his foreign soldiers together. When they came, he spoke to them by an interpreter and ordered their perpetual loyalty to himself and to their former kings. He recalled all the many favours and honours which he had conferred upon them how he had never used them as conquered persons but as fellow soldiers and partners in all his conquests. He had mixed the conquered with the conquerors by intermarriage. He said:

``Therefore, count not yourselves as made, but born my soldiers. The kingdoms of Asia and Europe are become all one. What was novelty before is now grown natural by long use and custom and you are no less my country men than you are my soldiers.''

2293. After this he chose from them 1000 tall young men and appointed them for his personal bodyguards. He gave the chief commands of the army to the Persians and called the various troops and companies by Macedonian names. These he also called his kinfolk and friends. He only allowed them the privilege to be admitted to kiss his hand. (See Polyanus Stratag. 4. in Alexander num. 7.)

2294. The Macedonians saw the king come out guarded only with Persians and that all the serjeants and other attendants were Persions. Only Persians were promoted to all the places of dignity and honour and the Macedonians were set aside with scorn and infamy. Their courage failed and they conferred a while among themselves. Then they ran all together to the king's lodging and cast off all their clothes to their very waist coats. They threw down their arms at the court gates and stood outside and begged to be admitted. They offered to turn over every author of that rebellion and desired the king to be satisfied with their deaths rather than their disgraces. Although Alexander was no longer angry, he would not let them in. On the contrary they would not go away but continued there crying and howling two whole days and nights. They called on him by the name of lord and master and promised never to leave his gate until he had mercy on them. On the 3rd day he came out to them. He saw their humiliation and dejection before him with their genuine sorrow. He heard their pitiful complaint and lamentation which they made and was moved with compassion for them. He wept a long time over them. He stood a good while as if he would speak to them but could not and they continued all that time on their knees before him.

2295. Callines, a man venerable for his age and of great esteem in the regiment of his fellow cavaliers, spoke to him.

``This is what O king which grieves your Macedonians that now you have made some of the Persians your cousins and these you have received to kiss your hand and have deprived your Macedonians of this honour,''

2296. When he would have proceeded, Alexander interrupted him, and said:

``I now make you all my cousins and from henceforth will call you by that name.''

2297. When he had said this, Callines stepped out and went and kissed his hand and so did as many others who wanted to. Every man took up his arms again and they all returned with joy and triumph into the camp.

2298. Then the king went and sacrificed to the gods as he was accustomed to do. He made a general feast for all the army. He sat down first. Then his Macedonians were seated and then the Persians. After them, the rest according to their various ranks and stations in the army. Then Alexander took from the bowl and drank. So it went round among the Macedonians. The Greek prophets and Persian priests poured forth their prayers. Among all the favours they asked from their gods for him, was to grant a concord and unity of empire between the Macedonian and Persian kingdoms. It is said that there were 9000 guests who sat at this feast and that they all pledged this concord and sang the same Paeana, or song of joy and gladness to Apollo as they used to do when they returned from a victory to their camp.

2299. Alexander passed over the Tigris River and camped in a country called Cares. When he crossed the region called Sitacene in a 4 day march, he came to Sambana. He camped here 7 days and then after a 3 day journey, he arrived at Celovae. Before this, Xerxes had made a colony of those whom he brought from Baeotia. Then turning aside from the way to Babylon, he went to see Bagisthenes, a country abounding with fruit and all other commodities that are good for one's health and pleasure.

2300. Meanwhile, Harpalus a Macedonian who was the chief baron and treasurer of all the king's money in Babylon and revenues of that whole province, knew well of his wastefulness and bad conduct in that office. He also knew what Alexander had done to many other governors when complaints were made about them by their subjects. He got 5000 talents of silver and 6000 mercenaries and fled from Asia and came with them to Taenarus in Laconia. He left them there. (Others who could not stay in Asia had already exciled themselves here, as I said before) He went to Athens in a humble manner. When Antipater and Olympias demanded him from their hands, he so dealt with the people of Athens by seeing Demosthenes and other orators there that he escaped and returned safely to his company at Taenarus. (Diod. Sic. year 2. Olymp. 113. Pausanias in his Attica, Plurtarch in the lives of Demosthenes and Phocyon,) In Arrian there is a blank left, (l. 7. p. 155.) where the flight of Harpalus from Babylon should have been recorded with that journey of Alexander's after, (as appears by Photius in his Biblioth, c. 91.) There was an action brought against Harpalus for bribes he received according to Dionysius Halicarnassaeus, in the end of his Epistle to Ammaeus concerning Demosthens when Anticles was archon at Athens. This was, as I said before, in this 4th year of the 113th Olympiad, according to his account.

2301. Hephaestion and Eumenes had an argument about a certain gift and exchanged many harsh words. Alexander settled the difference and made them friends again. Hephaestion was unwilling at first and Alexander had to threaten him. However, Eumenes was content with the settlement. (Plut. in Eumenes. Arrian. l. 7. p. 155.)

3680a AM, 4389 JP, 325 BC

2302. Alexander went from there into a country, where great herds of horses of the Persian kings grazed. In this place, called the Nicean Country, there were used to be kept 150,000 or 160,000 of the king's horses. When Alexander came there, he found about 50,000 horses. (Arrian) Diodorus Sicilus states there were about 60,000 horses. Most of the horses had been stolen.

2303. When Alexander had camped here 30 days, he marched again and 7 days later came to Ecbatane, the chief city of all Media. Its circumference was over 31 miles. As his custom was after any good success, he offered sacrifices and held games of music, gymnastics and exercises in honour of his gods. He feasted with his friends. When he had ordered matters there, he returned again to see his stage players and actors play their parts. He instituted certain feasts because 3000 cooks and their helpers had come to him from Greece.

2304. Apollodorus of Amphipolis was a friend of Alexander and whom he had made general of that army which he had left with Mazaeus when he made him governor of the city and province of Babylon. When he heard what had happened to other governors Alexander had placed over his kingdom, he was afraid just as his friend Harpalus was before him. Apollodorus had a brother called Pythagoras, who was a soothsayer. He consulted him by letters to find out what was likely to happen to him. Pythagoras sent back letters and desired to know whom he feared that he wanted his fortune told? He replied that it was for fear of Alexander and Hephaestion. Thereupon Pythagoras looked into the entrails of a beast for Hephaestion. When he found that its liver had no fibres, he wrote back again to his brother from Babylon to Ecbatane. He told him not to fear Hephaestion for he would soon die. Aristobulus states this letter was written the very day before Hephaestion died. (Arrian. l. 7. with Apian, toward the end of his second book De Bell. Civi.)

2305. Hephaestion loved wine too much and became sick because of it. He was a young soldier who would not keep any diet he was told to follow. While his physician Glaucias was away for a time, he ate dinner as he did at other times. He had a roasted guinea fowl and took a huge draught of chilled wine after it. He became sick and died 7 days later from this.

2306. On the same day there were gymnastic games performed before the king by the pages of the court. When he was told of Hephaestion's illness, he suddenly arose from the games and went to see Hephaestion. When he came, he found him dead. Thereupon he did not eat for 3 days nor take care of himself. He lay all that while either sullenly silent or impatiently lamenting the loss of his Haphaestion. Afterwards he changed his attire and shaved himself. He ordered all the soldiers and even the horses and mules to be all shorn. He had the pinnacles taken from the walls in Ecbatane and all other cities and towns around there. He wanted them to look poorly so they would appear to lament and bewail his death. He crucified his poor physician who could not help him. He ordered that there be no sound of pipe or flute heard in all the camp and ordered a general mourning among all provinces for Hephaestion. (Diod. Sic. year 3. Olymp. 113. & Plut. in his Alex. & Peloprdas, Arrian. l. 7. & on Epistetus, l. 2. c. 22. & Elian Var. Hist. l. 7. c. 8.)

2307. Alexander gave his body to Perdiccas to be carried to Babylon. He intended to give him a most magnificent funeral. He often spoke with the principal architects around him about making a most splendid monument for him. He spoke most with Stasicrates who knew of rare inventions used for creating and erecting vast buildings.

2308. Eumenes feared lest Alexander might think that he was glad for Hephaestion's death. He encouraged Alexander all the more on this project and suggested to him new ways to honour Hephaestion. He devoted himself and his arms to Hephaestion. Various others of Alexander's friends followed Eumenes' example and did likewise. (Plutarch in the life of Eumenes, & Arrian. l. 7.)

2309. Moreover since Hephaestion was the colonel of the regiment of the king's fellow cavaliers, Alexander did not replace him lest the name of Hephaestion should be forgotten among them. He named that regiment, Hephaestion's regiment as he called the cornet after him which he gave to go before them whenever they went to battle. (??)

3680b AM, 4390 JP, 324 BC

2310. At last to lift his spirits, Alexander started a needless war. He divided his army with Ptolemy and went hunting men and to clear the country as he would clear a forest of wild beasts. He attacked the Cossaeans, a people bordering on the Uxians who lived in the mountainous parts of Media. The Persian kings could never bring them under their subjection. Nor were these people in all these wars ever discouraged or thought that the Macedonians were such great warriors as to be afraid of them. First he took the passes leading through the mountains into their country and wasted their borders. Then he went further on and routed them in various conflicts. He destroyed them wherever he came without mercy and called that Hephaestion's funeral feast. As well Nearchus according to Arrian, tells us that Alexander attacked these Cossaeans in the depths of winter, when they little dreamed of any enemy coming upon them. (Strabo. l. 11. p. 524. Arrian. l. 7. p. 157. & in his Indica, p. 196. See also Polyanus, Stratag. l. 4. in Alexan. num. 31.)

2311. The Cossaeans saw they were being badly defeated and were grieved to see what large numbers of them were taken prisoners. They were forced to redeem their fellow's lives with their own slavery. They surrendered entirely to Alexander's will and pleasure. He granted peace to them on these conditions. They would always obey the king and do whatever he commanded. So Alexander returned with his army after he subdued all that country within 40 days time. He built various cities on the most difficult passes of the country.

2312. Alexander sent Heraclides, with certain shipwrights into Hircania to cut timber there for building ships. They were all to be "men of war", some with decks some without after the Greek design. He had a great desire to see the Caspian Sea and to know to whom it belonged.

3680c AM, 4390 JP, 324 BC

2313. When he had crossed with his army over the Tigris River, he marched straight towards Babylon. He made many camps along the way and rested his army in various places. When he moved at any time, he made easy marches. When he was about 40 miles from Babylon, he was met by the Chaldean priests and prophets. They were sent to him by one of their own company, called Bellephantes. They advised him that under no conditions should he go to Babylon for if he did, he would die there.

2314. When Alexander was told by Nearchus, (for he dared not talk with Bellephantes) what the Chaldean's message was, he sent many of his friends there. He turned aside from Babylon and would not go into it. He camped about 25 miles from it at a place called Bursia. This perhaps is the same place which Ptolemy calls Bersita, a city long since destroyed.

2315. There Anaxarchus and other Greeks persuaded him not to regard those predictions of the priests and magicians but rather to reject and despise them as vain and false. Thereupon he quoted that iambic verse of Euripades:

``Who best can guess, he the best prophet is.''

2316. Then the Chaldeans desired him that if he would enter that city that at least he would not enter it with his face toward the west. He should take the trouble to go about it and come into it looking toward the east. Aristobulus tells us, that he listened to this. On the first day he marched as far as to the Euphrates River. On the next day, he had the river on his right hand and marched along its bank. He wanted to pass by that part of the city which looked toward the west so that he might come in looking toward the east. When he found that way marshy and hard for his army to pass over, he neglected that very point of their counsel also. He entered Babylon with his face toward the west. (See Appian. toward the end of his second book, De Bello Civi. and Seneca, Suasor. 4.)

2317. When Alexander came to the walls of the city, he looked and saw a flock of crows, fighting and killing one another. Some fell down dead close to him. Apollodorus told him that he had a brother in that city called Pythagoras who was skilled in soothsaying by looking into the bowels of beasts that were offered for sacrifice. He had already consulted the gods that way concerning Alexander. He immediately sent for him and asked him what he found out concerning him. He told Alexander that he found the liver of the beast without any fibres. Alexander asked what that meant. Pythagoras replied that some great evil hangs over your head. (Appian has it that you shall shortly die.) Alexander was not offended by him. Indeed from that time on, Alexander consulted him the more because of his candour in dealing with him. This much Aristobulus relates that he learned directly from Pythagoras.

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