Delphi Complete Works of Quintus Curtius Rufus

by Quintus Curtius Rufus

  XI. There was among the generals one Bolon, valiant in deeds of arms, but unacquainted with the arts of peace and with civil manners, an old soldier, who had risen from a humble rank to the position [2] which he then held; he, when the rest were silent, rudely and with coarse audacity began to remind them how often they had been put out of the quarters which they had occupied in order that the offscourings of Philotas’ slaves might be received in the places from which they had driven out his [3] fellowsoldiers. That his wagons laden with gold and silver had stood in whole sections of the city, and that not one of his fellow-soldiers was admitted even to the neighbourhood of his lodging, but they were all removed to a distance by those whom he had placed in their positions to watch over his sleep, lest that she-man might be disturbed by what is more truly described as the silence than the sound of those who [4] whispered together. That the rustic men had always been objects of his mockery, and were called Phrygians and Paphlagonians by one who, though born a Macedonian, did not blush that men of his own language heard his words through an interpreter.

  [5] Now he wished Hammon to be consulted; but that same man accused Jupiter of lying when he acknowledged Alexander as his son, fearing, forsooth, lest what the gods offered should be an object of envy!

  [6] When he was plotting against the life of his king and his friend, he did not consult Jupiter; now he would send to the oracle, in order that in the meantime his father may arouse those whom he governs in Media, and with the money entrusted to his charge may [7] induce abandoned men to share in his crime. They themselves would send to the oracle, not to ask Jupiter what they had learned from the king, but to thank him, and pay the vows which they had made for the safety of the best of kings.

  [8] Then truly the whole assembly was inflamed, and a beginning was made by the body-guards, who shouted that the traitor ought to be torn to pieces by their own hands. This indeed Philotas, who feared severer tortures, heard by no means reluctantly; [9] but the king, having returned to the assembly, either that he might also “torture him in prison, or that he might investigate the whole matter more carefully, adjourned the council to the following day, and although the time was approaching evening, he nevertheless ordered his friends to be called together.

  [10] And the rest for their part recommended that Philotas be stoned to death, according to the ancient custom of the Macedonians, but Hephaestion and Craterus and Coenus said that the truth ought to be forced from him by torments; and those also who had recommended the other course went over to their [11] opinion. Therefore the council was dismissed, and Hephaestion with Craterus and Coenus arose to put [12] Philotas to the question. The king, having summoned Craterus and had a talk with him, the subject of which has not been made public, withdrew into the inner part of his quarters, and dismissing all witnesses awaited until late at night the result of the inquisition.

  [13] The torturers laid out all their instruments of [14] cruelty before the eyes of Philotas. And he, of his own accord, said: “Why do you delay to kill the king’s enemy, the murderer who confesses that he wished to kill him? What is the need of an inquisition? I planned it, I wished it.” Craterus demanded that what he confessed he should also say under torture.

  [15] Then he was seized, and while his eyes were being bound, while his clothing was being taken off, he called upon his country’s gods and on the law of nations, but vainly to deaf ears. Then he was torn by the utmost torments, inasmuch as he had been condemned and his personal enemies were torturing [16] him to gratify the king. And at first, although now fire, and now the lash was used upon him, no longer for the purpose of seeking the truth, but as a punishment, he kept not only words but even groans under [17] control; but when his body, swollen with wounds, could no longer endure the blows of the scourges upon his bare bones, he promised that if they would moderate his tortures, he would tell them what they [18] wished to know. But he wished them to swear by Alexander’s life that there would be an end to the torments, and the torturers removed. And when both things were granted, he said: “Tell me, Craterus, what you wish me to say.” And when Craterus was indignant that Philotas was mocking him, and was calling the torturers back again, Philotas began to ask for time until he could recover his breath, after which he would tell everything which he knew.

  [20] Meanwhile the cavalry, all those of the noblest birth and especially such as were nearly related to Parmenion, after the report had spread abroad that Philotas was being tortured, fearing the law of the Macedonians by which it was provided that the relatives of those who had plotted against the king should be put to death with the guilty parties, some killed themselves, others fled to out-of-the-way mountains and to lonely desert places, while great terror spread through the entire camp, until the king, learning of the tumult, made proclamation that he remitted the law providing for the punishment of those related to the guilty parties.

  [21] Whether Philotas wished to free himself from further torture by telling the truth or by a falsehood, it is difficult to divine, since the same end to suffering is offered to those who have confessed the truth and [22] to those who say what is false. At any rate, Philotas said: “How intimate my father was with Hegelochus you know well; I mean the Hegelochus who fell in battle; he was the cause of all our misfortunes.

  [23] For as soon as the king gave orders that he should be saluted as the son of Jupiter, Hegelochus, indignant at that, said: ‘Are we then to recognize this king, who disdains Philip as his father? It is all over with [24] us if we can endure that. He scorns, not only men, but even the gods, who demands to be believed a god. We have lost Alexander, we have lost our king; we have fallen under a tyranny endurable neither to the gods, to whom he makes himself equal, nor to men, [26] from whom he separates himself. Have we at the price of our blood created a god who disdains us, who is reluctant to enter into council with mortals? Believe me, we too, if we are men, shall be adopted by [26] the gods. Who avenged the death of Alexander, the ancestor of this one, who afterwards that of Archelaus, who of Perdiccas? He himself pardoned the murderers of his father.

  [27] “These were the words of Hegelochus at dinner; and on the dawn of the following day I was summoned by my father. He was troubled and saw that I was sad; for we had heard what struck anxiety [28] into our hearts. Therefore, in order to learn whether Hegelochus had blurted out those words when heavy with wine, or whether they were inspired by some deeper design, we decided to have him summoned. He came, and after repeating the same sentiments of his own accord, he added that if we dared to take the lead, he would claim from us the honour of seconding our plan, or if we lacked the courage, he would bury [29] the plan in silence. To Parmenion the plan seemed premature while Darius still lived: for they would be killing Alexander, not for themselves, but for the enemy; but if Darius were out of the way, as a reward for killing the king Asia and the entire Orient would fall to his slayers. This advice was approved, and a pledge to that end was given and received.

  [30] So far as Dymnus is concerned, I know nothing, but I know that after this confession it does not avail me that I have no part in the present crime.”

  [31] They again applied tortures, and striking at his face and eyes with their own spears as well, they forced him to plead guilty to that crime also.

  [32] Then, when they required him to set forth the order of the proposed deed, he replied that since it seemed that Bactra would detain the king for a long time, they feared that his father,” being seventy years old, the leader of so great an army and custodian of so great a treasure, might meanwhile die, and that he himself, robbed of so great strength, would have [33] no reason for killing the king. That therefore he had hastened to carry out promptly the design while he had the prize in his hands; unless they believed that his father had no part in the present design, although he could no longer endure tortures, yet he did not [34] refuse them. They, after talking together, thinking that sufficient question had been made, returned to the king, who gave orders that on the following day what Philotas had conf
essed should be read, and that he himself should be carried in, since he could not walk.

  [35] When he had acknowledged everything, Demetrius, who was accused of sharing in the latest conspiracy, was led in. He stoutly denied, with equal assurance of mind and of countenance, that he had formed any design against the king, and even demanded that he [36] himself should be put to the question; when Philotas, turning his eyes on all sides, as they fell upon a certain Calas, standing near by, bade him approach nearer. When he was troubled and refused to cross over to him, Philotas said: “Will you allow Demetrius [37] to lie, and me to be tortured again?” Calas turned pale and lost the power of speech, and the Macedonians suspected that Philotas wished to besmirch the innocent with guilt, since the youth had not been named by Nicomachus nor by Philotas when he was being tortured; but when he saw himself surrounded by the king’s prefects, he confessed that Demetrius [38] and he himself had planned that crime. Therefore all who had been named by Nicomachus were stoned to death on a given signal, after the usage of their country.

  [39] Alexander had been freed from great danger, not indeed of death, but of hatred; for Parmenion and Philotas, the chief men among his friends, unless clearly shown to be guilty, could not have been condemned without exciting the indignation of the [40] whole army. Thus the issue of the case was doubtful as long as he denied the crime; that his torture was continued after the confession was considered an act of cruelty; and now Philotas merited the compassion of his friends.

  CONTENTS OF BOOK VII

  The recent conspiracy leads Alexander to take up the case of Alexander Lyncestes, who had been in prison for three years. He is called upon to make a defence, and, failing to do so successfully, is put to death. The brothers Amyntas and Simias, friends of Philotas, are accused, but are defended by Amyntas (i).

  Amyntas and his brother are restored to favour. Their younger brother, Polemon, who had fled when Philotas was tortured, is pardoned by Alexander. Polydamas is summoned and sent in haste to Media, where he brings about the death of Parmenion. Alexander separates from the rest of the army those soldiers who complained for various reasons (ii).

  Alexander after subduing the Arimaspi and the Arachosii crosses Mount Parapanisus with his army and founds at its foot a city of Alexandria (iii).

  Bessus at a banquet consults about war against Alexander. Gobares advises against it, but without effect. Bessus is deserted and flees to the Sogdiani. The single combat of Satibarzanes and Erigyius. Alexander arrives at Bactra and hears of the death of Satibarzanes (iv).

  Alexander crosses the Oxus. Bessus is betrayed by Spitamenes and brought to Alexander; the king delivers him to Oxathres, brother of Darius, to be crucified (v).

  Sogdiana is subdued but revolts again; Cyropolis and other cities are taken. A city of Alexandria is founded on the Iaxartes (vi).

  Alexander, suffering from a wound, holds a consultation about war with the Scythians. Aristander interprets theomens in accordance with the wishes of Alexandander. Menedemus is defeated and slain with a loss of 2500 horsemen. Alexander conceals the disaster (VII).

  While Alexander is preparing forward, envoys arrive from the Scythians and deliver an address proposing peace (VIII).

  Alexander, having dismissed the envoys, croses the laxartes and attacks the Scythians. Having defeated them, he treats them generously. He receives the Sacae in surrender and then pursues Spitammens, who had defeated Menedmus (IX). then pursues Spitamenes, who had defeated Menedemusa — Sogdiana is recovered; the high spirit of its nobles. Alexander returns to Bactra. Bessus is sent to Ecbatana to suffer punishment. Six cities are founded near Margiana (x).

  The crag of Arimaza, almost impregnable from its situation and from the nature of the country, is captured by Alexander. Because of his obstinate defense its commander, Ariamazes, along with his relatives and other nobles, is scourged and crucified (XI).

  BOOK VII

  I. ALTHOUGH while the traces of his crime were fresh, the soldiers believed that Philotas had been justly punished, yet after the man whom they hated had [2] ceased to live, hatred changed to pity. The distinction of the young Philotas affected them, and t e, old bereavement of his father. Parmenion had been the first to open Asia to the king and as his partner in all dangers had had charge of one wing of the army in battle; he had also been first of Philip’s friends, and was so faithful to Alexander himself that Alexander preferred to use no other emissary in killing Attalus. The thought of these things occurred to the army and mutinous words were reported to the king. He, being not greatly disturbed by these, and well aware that the faults idleness are dispelled by activity, made proclamation for all to appear at the entrance of his head [5] quarters. When he learned that they were present there in great numbers, he entered the assembly.

  Atarrhias, undoubtedly by previous arrangement, began by asking that Lyncestes Alexander, long before Philotas had wished to kill the king, should be brought before them. He had been — , with this by two informers, as we have said above, and was now spending the third year of his imprisonment in fetters. It was regarded as certain that he had also with Pausanias, conspired to kill Philip, but because he had been the first to hail Alexander as king, he was exempted from punishment rather than [7] from guilt; then too the prayers of his father-in-law Antipater were delaying the king’s just anger. However, the resentment which had been coming to a head broke out anew, since anxiety from the present danger revived the memory of the one of long standing Therefore Alexander (Lyncestes) was brought out of prison and when ordered to speak, although for three whole years he had practised a defence, yet hesitating and trembling he presented only a few words of what he had composed, and finally, not [9] only his memory, but his thoughts failed him. No one doubted that his alarm was an indication of a guilty conscience and not of a failure of memory. Accordingly, some of those who stood nearest to him ran him through with their lances as he was still struggling with forgetfulness. —

  [10] When his body had been taken away, the king ordered Amyntas and Simias to be brought in, for Polemon, the youngest of the brothers, had fled when he heard that Philotas was being tortured.

  [11] These had been the dearest of all Philotas friends, and had been advanced to important and honourable positions mainly through his influence, and the king remembered that Philotas had recommended them to him with the greatest urgency, and did not doubt that they had been participants also in this last design [12] of his. Therefore he complained that they had long since been objects of his suspicion because of letters of his mother, in which he had been warned to protect his life against them; but that although he had been unwilling to believe unfavourable reports, now forced by clear proofs, he had ordered them to be imprisoned. For it could not be doubted that the day before the crime of Philotas was revealed they had been with him in secret. Moreover, their brother who had run away during the inquisition of Philotas [14] had made clear the reason for his flight. Lately, under the pretence of rendering service, they had removed all other persons to a distance, and contrary to custom had attached themselves to his side without any plausible reason, and because he was surprised that they performed such service out of their turn, and alarmed by their very confusion, he had quickly taken refuge with his guards who were following close after him.

  [15] It was added to this, that when Antiphanes, commissary of the cavalry, had given orders to Amyntas, the day before the crime of Philotas had been discovered, that, as was usual, he should turn over some of his horses to those who had lost theirs, Amyntas had replied insolently, that unless Antiphanes gave up his attempt, he would soon know who Amyntas was. That now his violent tongue and the rash words that were hurled at the king himself were nothing other than an indication of, and testimony to, an evil design. If these charges were true, those men deserved the same treatment as Philotas, if false, he himself demanded that they should refute them.

  [17] Then Antiphanes, being brought forward, gave testimony about the failure to deliver the horses and also [18]
that Amyntas had arrogantly added threats. Then Amyntas, on being given permission to speak, said: “If it makes no difference to the king, I ask that, while I am speaking I may be freed from fetters.” The king ordered both to be released, and when Amyntas desired that the apparel of a guard also be restored to him, he ordered that a lance be given him.

  [19] When he took this in his left hand, shunning the place in which the body of Alexander Lyncestes had lain a short time before, Amyntas said: “Whatever outcome awaits us, Sire, we confess that if it is favourable, we shall owe it to you; that if it is less so, we [20] shall attribute it to ill-fortune. We plead our cause without prejudice, bodies and minds both free; you have also even restored the apparel in which we are accustomed to attend you. We cannot distrust our cause, we shall cease to fear ill-fortune.