Delphi Complete Works of Quintus Curtius Rufus

by Quintus Curtius Rufus

  [19] Meanwhile news was brought to the Macedonians that the king had been killed. What would have terrified other men animated them. For regardless of all danger, they broke through the wall with mattocks, and when they had made a breach, rushed into the city and cut down the Indi, more of whom fled [20] than dared to engage them. They spared neither old men, women, nor children; whoever met them they believed to be the person by whom the king had been wounded. And at length by the slaughter of the enemy they appeased their just anger.

  [21] Clitarchus and Timagenes are our authorities for the statement that Ptolemy, who was later king, was present at this battle, but he himself, who certainly was not inclined to depreciate his own glory, has written that he was not there, since he had been sent on an expedition. Such was the carelessness of those who composed the old records, or their credulity, which is an equally great fault.

  [22] Alexander was carried to his tent and the physicians cut off the shaft of the arrow, which was firmly fixed in his body, taking care not to stir the point.

  [23] Then, when his clothing had been removed, they perceived that the arrow was barbed, and that it could not be extracted without injury unless the wound [24] was enlarged by the knife. But they feared that the flow of blood could not be staunched by those who performed the operation; for the arrow was very long and seemed to have penetrated the vital parts.

  [25] Critobulus, who was a physician of distinguished skill, but was terrified in the face of such great risk, dreaded to put his hand to the work, lest the result of the treatment, if unsuccessful, might recoil upon [26] his own head. The king observed that he was weeping and near to fainting from fear and anxiety and said: “For what event or moment are you waiting, and why do you not free me as soon as possible from this pain and let me at least die? Do you perhaps fear that you may be blamed because I have received an [27] incurable wound?” But Critobulus, having at last ended his fear, or concealed it, began to urge that he Jet himself be held while he was withdrawing the point; that even a slight movement of his body would be [28] dangerous. When the king had assured him that there was no need of any to hold him, he kept his body motionless, as had been ordered.

  So when the wound had been laid open and the barb extracted, a copious amount of blood proceeded to flow, the king to swoon, darkness veiled his eyes, [29] and he lay stretched out as if he were dead. And while they were vainly trying to staunch the flow of blood by applications, his friends began to cry out and to weep, believing that he had breathed his last. At last the blood ceased to flow, and the king gradually recovered his senses and began to recognize those 30 who stood around him. All that day and the following night the army stood under arms before the royal pavilion, confessing that they all lived by his breath alone, and they did not leave until they learned that he was quietly sleeping for a time. Then they returned to the camp with more assured hope of his recovery.

  VI. The king, after his wound had been treated for seven days but had not yet cicatrized, hearing that the report of his death had gained strength among the barbarians, ordered two ships to be lashed together, and his tent to be set up in the centre, where it would be conspicuous to everyone, in order that from it he might show himself to those who believed that he was dead, and, being seen by the inhabitants, he put an end to the enemies hope which they had conceived from the false report.

  [2] Then he went on down the river, keeping some distance ahead of the rest of the fleet, in order that the quiet which he still needed in his very weak condition might not be interfered with by the beat of the oars.

  [3] On the fourth day after he had begun his voyage he came into a region which was indeed deserted by all its inhabitants, but abounded in grain and cattle. The place suited him for resting both himself and his [4] soldiers. It was the custom for the principal men among the king’s friends and for his body-guard to keep watch before his tent whenever he had fallen ill; since this custom was being observed at that time [6] as usual, they all entered his chamber. Alexander, anxious lest they brought some serious news, because they had all come at once, asked whether an immediate approach of the enemy was being reported.

  [6] But Craterus, who had been intrusted to convey to him the prayers of his friends, replied:— “Do you imagine that we are more disturbed by the coming of the enemy, although they even now stood on our rampart, than through care for your safety, on [7] which you seem to set little store? However great a force of all nations should unite against us, should fill the whole world with arms and men, should cover the sea with their fleets, should bring against us beasts never seen before, it is you that will make us g invincible. But who among the gods can promise that this prop and star of Macedonia will be lasting, when you so eagerly expose your person to evident dangers, forgetting that you draw into disaster the [9] lives of so many citizens? For who desires to be, or can be, your survivor? Following your auspices and command, we have come to a place from which none of us can find a way to his hearth and home except under your lead.

  [10] “But if you were still contending with Darius for the dominion of Persia, although no one could wish it, yet one could not even wonder that you are of such ready daring in the face of every danger; for when the peril and its reward are equal, the gain is not only more ample in case of success, but the solace is greater in [11] case of defeat. But that an obscure village should be bought at the price of your life who could endure, not to mention your own soldiers, but even the citizen of any barbarous nation who knows your greatness?

  [12] My soul shudders at the thought of the scene which we witnessed a short time ago. I fear to mention that the most worthless of hands would have polluted the spoils stripped from your invincible body, had not Fortune been compassionate and saved you for us.

  “We are so many traitors, so many deserters, all of [13] us who were not able to keep up with you. Although you should brand your soldiers with ignominy, no one will refuse to pay that penalty for the guilt which [14] he could not avoid incurring. I pray you, allow us to be worthless in your sight in a different way. Whithersoever you bid us we will go. We demand for ourselves the obscure dangers and inglorious battles; save yourself for those which are worthy of your greatness. Glory gained over mean enemies quickly fades, and nothing is more unworthy than for it to [15] be wasted when it cannot be displayed.” Ptolemy spoke too about the same purport, and the rest used similar language. And now with mingled tears and cries all besought him that at last from satiety he should set a limit to the pursuit of glory and have regard for his safety, that is, the safety of the state.

  [16] The affection of his friends was gratifying to the king; accordingly, having embraced them one after the other with unusual tenderness, he bade them be seated and, seeking words of deeper feeling, [17] said: “To you indeed, most faithful and most loyal of my fellow citizens and friends, I feel and express gratitude, not only for the reason that today you value my safety more than your own, but also because from the outset of this war there is no pledge and proof of your affection for me which you have omitted, so much so that I must confess that my life has never been so dear to me as it has begun to be now that I can enjoy your [18] companionship for a long time. But the thought of those who wish to die for me is not the same as my own, since I think that I have long since won this goodwill of yours through deeds of valour. For you would wish to enjoy me for a long time, and perhaps forever, whereas I measure myself by the extent of [19] my glory rather than that of my life. I might, content with the kingdom of my sire, within the limits of Macedonia amid idleness have awaited an obscure and inglorious old age. And yet even the indolent cannot control their destiny, but a premature death often surprises those who consider length of days the only blessing. But I, who count not my years but my victories, if I keep a correct account of Fortune’s favours, have already had a long life.

  [20] “Beginning my reign in Macedonia, I hold dominion over Greece, I have subdued Thrace and the Illyrians, I rule the Triballi and the Maedi, I possess Asia from
where it is washed by the Hellespont to the shores of the Red Sea. And now I am not far from the end of the world, and passing beyond this, I have resolved to open to myself a new realm of Nature, a new [21] world. From Asia I crossed into the bounds of Europe in a single hour. Having conquered both continents in the ninth year of my reign and the twenty-eighth of my life, does it seem to you that I can pause in the task of completing my glory, to which alone I have devoted myself? I at least shall not be found wanting, and wherever I shall fight, I shall believe that I am in the theatre of the whole [22] world. I will give fame to unknown places. I will open to all nations lands which Nature had moved to a distance.

  “To end my life amid these enterprises, if chance shall so will it, is in my opinion glorious; I am born from such stock that I am bound to desire an [23] abundant life rather than a long one. I pray you, think that you have come to lands in which the name of a woman is renowned because of her valour. What cities did Samiramis build! What nations did she reduce to submission! What great works did she accomplish! We have not yet equalled a woman in glory, and has a satiety of renown already seized us? Let the gods favour us, and still greater things [24] await us. But those which we have not yet undertaken will be ours only if we consider nothing small in which there is room for great glory. Do you only keep me safe from intestine treachery and domestic plots; I will meet unterrified the hazard of war and of Mars.

  [25] “Philip was safer on the field of battle than in the theatre. He often evaded the hands of the enemy, but he could not escape those of his own countrymen. If you think also of the deaths of other kings, you will count more that were slain by their own [26] people than by the foe. But since an opportunity has now been offered of setting forth a matter which I have long agitated in my thoughts, let me say that I shall receive the greatest reward for my labours and my toils if my mother Olympias shall be consecrated to immortality when she departs from life.

  [27] This, if it shall be allowed me, I myself will effect; if Fate shall anticipate me, remember that I have entrusted this duty to you.” And then indeed he dismissed his friends. But for many days he remained there in the same camp.

  VII. While this was going on in India, the Greek soldiers who had lately been established by the king in colonies round about Bactra, since disagreement had arisen among them, had revolted, not so much through hostility to Alexander, as from fear of [2] punishment. For the stronger faction, having killed some of their countrymen, began to think of armed action, and after having seized the citadel of Bactra, which through belief in its safety had been carelessly guarded, they had forced the barbarians also to join [3] in their revolt. Their chief was Athenodorus, who had even assumed the title of king, not so much from a desire for power, as for returning to his fatherland along with those who acknowledged his authority.

  [4] Against him a certain Biton of the same nation, but hostile to Athenodorus because of rivalry, laid a plot, and having invited him to a banquet, had him assassinated at table by a Bactrian called Boxus.

  [5] On the following day Biton called an assembly and convinced the majority that Athenodorus without provocation had plotted to take his life; but others suspected imposture on the part of Biton and the [6] suspicion gradually began to spread to more. Accordingly, the Greek soldiers armed themselves, intending to kill Biton if an opportunity offered; but their leading men appeased the wrath of the multitude.

  [7] Biton, rescued from imminent danger contrary to his expectation, a little later plotted against those who had saved him. But when his treachery became [8] known, they seized both him and Boxus. The latter they ordered to be put to death at once and Biton also, but after suffering torture. And they were already applying the instruments of torture to his body, when the Greeks — for what reason is uncertain [9] — as if crazed, rushed to arms. When their tumult was heard, those who had been ordered to torture Biton, left him, for fear that they would be prevented from carrying out their orders by the cries of the [10] rioting soldiers. He, stripped naked as he was, came to the Greeks, and the pitiable aspect of the man who had been condemned to death suddenly changed their feelings to pity, and they gave orders to let him go.

  [11] Twice freed from punishment in this way, he returned to his native land with the rest who had left the colonies established by Alexander. This is what happened in the region of Bactra and the frontiers of Scythia.

  [12] In the meantime a hundred envoys came to the king from the two nations of which mention has been made. All rode in chariots and were men of uncommon stature and dignified bearing; their robes were of linen, embroidered with inwrought gold and [13] purple. They said that they surrendered to him themselves, their cities, and their lands, and would entrust for the first time the liberty which they had preserved inviolate for so many ages to his protection and authority; that it was the gods that advised their submission to him, not fear, since they assumed the yoke while their strength was [14] unimpaired. The king, after holding a council, admitted the surrendered peoples into his protection, imposing upon them the tribute which both nations were paying to the Arachosii; besides, he ordered them to furnish 2500 horsemen. All these commands [15] were faithfully carried out by the barbarians. Then he invited the envoys and the petty kings of the nations to a banquet, and ordered a magnificent feast to be prepared. A hundred golden couches had been placed at a small distance from each other; the couches he had hung about with purple tapestries gleaming with gold, displaying in that banquet all that was corrupt in the ancient luxury of the Persians or in the new fashions adopted by the Macedonians, thus intermingling the vices of both nations.

  [16] There was present at the feast Dioxippus, an Athenian, a celebrated boxer, and because of the extraordinary greatness “of his strength already both well known to the king and a favourite of his. Some through jealousy and malice carped at him with mingled seriousness and jest, saying that they had as a companion a useless brute with an over-fed body; that while they entered battle, he, dripping [17] with oil, was preparing his belly for feasts. Thus it was that at the banquet Corratas, a Macedonian, already overcome by wine, began to upbraid Dioxippus, and to demand that, if he were a man, he should fight with him on the following day with swords; that the king at last would have an opportunity to judge of Corratas’ rashness or the other’s [18] cowardice. And the challenge was accepted by Dioxippus, who contemptuously made sport of the soldier’s bravado. And on the next day the king, since they even more earnestly demanded the contest, and he was unable to dissuade them, allowed [19] what they desired to be carried out. A great number of soldiers, including the Greeks, favoured Dioxippus. The Macedonian had assumed his usual arms, holding in his left hand a bronze shield and a spear — they call it sarisa — in his right a lance, and girt with a sword, as if he were going to fight with [20] several men at once; Dioxippus, gleaming with oil and wearing a garland, displayed a purple cloth in his left hand, and in his right a stout knotted club. This very thing had filled the minds of all with eager anticipation; since for a naked man to fight with one in full armour seemed not only rashness, but madness.

  Then the Macedonian, not doubting that his foe could be killed at long range, hurled his lance. Dioxippus avoided it by a slight movement of his body, and before the other could transfer his spear to his right hand, leaped upon him and broke the spear in [22] two with his club. Having lost both his missiles, the Macedonian had begun to draw his sword, when Dioxippus seized him in his arms, suddenly knocked his feet from under him, and butted him to the ground; then snatching his sword from him, he set his foot upon the Macedonian’s neck as he lay prostrate, and poising his club to strike him, would have crushed his defeated adversary with it, had he not been prevented by the king.

  [23] The result of this spectacle was displeasing, not only to the Macedonians, but to the king, especially because the barbarians had witnessed it; for he regretted that the famous valour of the Macedonians was [24] exposed to ridicule. For this reason the ears of the king were opened to the calum
nies of jealous rivals. And a few days later at a feast a golden cup was purposely abstracted, and the attendants went to the king, pretending to have lost what they had [25] actually hidden. Often there is less firmness in innocent embarrassment than in genuine guilt. Dioxippus could not endure the gaze of all eyes by which he was marked as a thief, and leaving the banquet, he wrote a letter to be delivered to the king, and [26] killed himself with his sword. The king was greatly grieved by his death, believing it to be a sign of indignation rather than of repentance, especially after the excessive joy of his rivals showed that he had been falsely accused.

  VIII. After the envoys of the Indians had been sent home, they returned a few days later with gifts. These consisted of 300 horsemen, 1030 chariots, each drawn by four horses abreast, a quantity of linen cloth, 1000 Indic shields, 100 talents of white iron, [2] lions and tigers of unusual size (both species of animals being broken in and tamed), also some skins [3] of huge lizards, and shells of tortoises. Then the king ordered Craterus to lead on his forces at no great distance from the river down which he was going to sail, but those who were accustomed to attend him he embarked upon ships and sailed downstream to the lands of the Malli.