IX. As Darius said these words, the thought of the present peril cramped with horror the hearts and minds of all alike, and they were in doubt what to advise or to say, when Artabazus, the oldest of his friends, who, as I have said above, had been a guest of Philip, said: “We certainly, clad in our richest apparel and adorned with the finest arms that we possess, will follow our king to battle, and that too with the intention of hoping for victory, yet not shrinking from [2] death.” The rest received these words with approval, but Nabarzanes, who took part in the same council, had formed with Bessus a conspiracy for a crime unheard of before, of seizing their king by means of the forces which they both commanded and putting him in fetters; their purpose was that if Alexander should overtake them, they might by delivering the king alive into his hands gain the victor’s favour, since he would surely set a high value on the capture of Darius, but that, if they could escape Alexander, having killed Darius, they themselves might usurp [3] the sovereignty and renew the war. When they had long meditated this treason, Nabarzanes, preparing the way for their abominable purpose, said:
“I know that I shall express an opinion which at first thought will not be at all pleasing to your ears; but physicians also cure more desperate maladies by harsh remedies, and a pilot, when he fears shipwreck, rescues by jettison whatever can be saved. I, however, offer my advice, not in order that you may suffer any loss, but that by a helpful plan you may save yourself and your kingdom. We began the war with the gods against us, and persistent Fortune does not cease to persecute the Persians; there is need of a new beginning and new omens.
Hand over the auspices and the rule for a time to another, who shall be called king no longer than until the enemy shall withdraw from Asia; then he will return the sovereignty to you when he has won victory. Moreover, reason shows that this will soon come to pass; Bactra is untouched, the Indi and Sacae are under your rule, so many peoples, so many armies, so many thousands of horse and foot have strength available for restoring our affairs, that greater material for war is left than has been used up. Why do we, like brute beasts, rush into a destruction that is not necessary? It is the part of brave men rather to scorn death than to hate life; often through distaste for toil cowards are driven to hold themselves cheap. But valour leaves nothing untried. Assuredly death is the end of everything, and we may as well go to meet it in no passive spirit.
Accordingly, if we desire to go to Bactra, which is the safest place of refuge, let us make Bessus, the satrap of that region, king, because of the exigency; when affairs are settled, he will restore to you, the legitimate king, the rule which he has held in trust.”
It is not at all surprising that Darius could not control his anger, although he did not know how great a crime lurked under these detestable words. Hence he said: “Basest of slaves, have you found the time which you desired, when you might disclose your treason?” and drawing his sword, he seemed to be on the point of killing Nabarzanes, had not Bessus and the Bactriani quickly surrounded the king, as if to plead against the act, under pretence of sorrow, but actually intending to make him prisoner, if he should persist. Nabarzanes meanwhile had slipped away and Bessus also followed him; they ordered the forces which they commanded to withdraw from the rest of the army, intending to hold a secret council. Artabazus, starting to express an opinion suitable to the present situation, began to try to soothe Darius, from time to time reminding him of the exigencies; the king, he said, ought to bear with patience either the folly or the error of those, of whatever sort they might be, who were nevertheless his subjects. Alexander was already close upon him, a dangerous foe even if all his men were on hand; what would happen if those who had followed him in his flight should be alienated? Darius followed the advice of Artabazus, albeit reluctantly, and although he had determined to move his camp, yet since the minds of all were disturbed, he remained where he was. But being overwhelmed with sadness and at the same time with despair, he shut himself in his tent.
The result was, that in the camp, which was under no one’s command, there were varied impulses, and they no longer took council for the common good, as before. The leader of the Greek troops, Patron,” ordered his men to arm themselves and be ready to carry out his orders. The Persians had formed a separate group; Bessus was with the Bactriani and was trying to win over the Persians, telling them of Bactra and the riches of that untouched region, and at the same time of the dangers which threatened those who remained where they were. The reply of all the Persians was about the same, that it was impious for the king to be deserted. Meanwhile Artabazus performed all the duties of a commander; he did not cease to go round the tents of the Persians, to exhort them, and to warn them, now one by one, now in a body, until it was clear that they would obey his orders. He also induced Darius, though with difficulty, to take food and to turn his attention to the situation.
At Bessus et Nabarzanes olim agitatum scelus exequi statuunt regni cupiditate accensi: Dareo autem incolumi tantas opes sperare non poterant. [2] Quippe in illis gentibus regum eximia maiestas est: ad nomen quoque barbari conveniunt, et pristinae veneratio fortunae sequitur adversam. [3] Inflabat inpios animos regio, [p. 139] cui praeerant, armis virisque et spatio locorum nulli earum gentium secunda: tertiam partem Asiae tenet, multitudo iuniorum exercitus, quos amiserat Dareus, aequabat. [4] Itaque non illum modo, sed etiam Alexandrum spernebant, inde vires imperii repetituri, si regis potiri contigisset. [5] Diu omnibus cogitatis placuit per milites Bactrianos ad omne obsequium destinates regem conprehendere mittique nuntium ad Alexandrum, qui indicaret vivum adservari eum: [6] si, id quod timebant, proditionem aspernatus esset, occisuri Dareum et Bactra cum suarum gentium manu petituri. Ceterum propalam conprehendi Dareus non poterat tot Persarum milibus laturis opem regi: [7] Graecorum quoque fides timebatur. [8] Itaque, quod vi non poterant, fraude adsequi temptant: paenitentiam secessionis simulare decreverant et excusare apud regem consternationem suam. [9] Interim, qui Persas sollicitarent, mittuntur. Hinc spe, hinc metu militares animos versant: ruinae rerum subdere illos capita, in perniciem trahi, cum Bactra pateant exceptura eos bonis et opulentia, animis quam concipere non possint. [10] Haec agitantibus Artabazus supervenit sive regis iussu sive sua sponte adfirmans mitigatum esse Dareum et eundem illis amicitiae gradum patere apud regem. [11] Illi lacrimantes nunc purgare se, nunc Artabazum orare, ut causam ipsorum tueretur precesque perferret. [12] Sic peracta nocte sub lucis exortum Bessus et Nabarzanes cum Bactrianis militibus in vestibulo praetorii aderant titulum sollemnis officii occulto sceleri praeferentes. Dareus signo ad eundum [p. 140] dato currum pristino more conscendit. [13] Nabarzanes ceterique parricidae procumbentes humi, quem paulo post in vinculis habituri erant, sustinuere venerari, lacrimas etiam paenitentiae indices profuderunt: adeo humanis ingeniis parata simulatio est. [14] Preces deinde suppliciter admotae Dareum natura simplicem et mitem non credere modo, quae adfirmabant, sed flere etiam coegerunt. [15] Ac ne tum quidem cogitati sceleris paenituit, cum intuerentur, qualem et regem et virum fallerent. Ille quidem securus periculi, quod instabat, Alexandri manus, quas solas timebat, effugere properabat.
X. But Bessus and Nabarzanes resolved to carry out the criminal design which they had formerly agitated, being inflamed with a desire for sovereignty; but they could not hope for so great power while Darius lived. For in those nations the majesty of their kings is extraordinary; in response to his mere name the barbarians assemble, and veneration for his former fortune attends him even in adversity. The impious minds of the conspirators were puffed up by the province which they governed, one which in arms and men, as well as in extent of territory is second to none among those nations; it occupies a third part of Asia, and the number of its men of military age equalled the armies which Darius had lost. Therefore they scorned, not only Darius, but also Alexander; from there they expected to regain the power of the empire, should they succeed in getting possession of the province. After long deliberation on all possibilities, they decided to seize the king with the aid of the Bactrian troops, who cou
ld be counted upon for absolute obedience, and that then a message should be sent to Alexander, to make known to him that Darius was being held alive in their power; if, as they feared, Alexander should have rejected their betrayal, they intended to kill Darius, and make for Bactra with the forces of their nations.
However, Darius could not be seized openly, when so many thousands of the Persians would bear aid to their king; the loyalty of the Greeks also was feared.
Accordingly, they tried to effect through stratagem what they could not do by force; they decided to feign regret for their secession, and to excuse it to the king on the ground of their consternation. Meanwhile emissaries were sent to appeal to the Persians.
Now by hope, now by fear they work upon the feelings of the soldiers, saying that they were exposing themselves to utter ruin and were being dragged to destruction, when Bactra was open to receive them with possessions and wealth such as were beyond their imagination. While they were busy with these matters, Artabazus appeared, either by the order of the king or of his own accord, declaring that Darius had been appeased and that the same degree of friendship with the king was open to them. They, shedding tears, now excused themselves, now begged Artabazus that he would plead their cause and present their entreaties. Accordingly, when the night had been thus spent, at daybreak Bessus and Nabarzanes, with the Bactrian soldiers, came to the vestibule of the king’s tent, hiding their secret crime under pretence of their customary service. Darius, having given the signal for marching, mounted his chariot according to his former custom; and Bessus and the rest of the traitors, prostrating themselves on the ground, had the audacity to pretend to venerate the man whom a little later they were intending to make prisoner, and they even shed tears as indications of repentance. So ready is deceit in the human heart. Then their entreaties, presented in suppliant guise, forced Darius, who was by nature trusting and mild, not only to believe what they affirmed, but — even to weep. But not even then did the traitors repent of the crime which they had planned, although they saw what kind of man and king they were deceiving. He indeed, unaware of the danger which threatened him, was hastening to escape Alexander’s hands, which alone he feared.
Patron autem, Graecorum dux, praecipit suis, ut arma, quae in sarcinis antea ferebantur, induerent ad omne imperium suum parati et intenti. [2] Ipse currum regis sequebatur occasioni inminens adloquendi eum: quippe Bessi facinus praesenserat. Sed Bessus id ipsum metuens, custos verius quam comes, a curru non recedebat. [3] Diu ergo Patron cunctatus аc saepius sermone revocatus, inter fidem timoremque haesitans, [4] regem intuebatur. Qui ut tandem advertit oculos, Bubacen spadonem inter proximos currum sequentem percontari iubet, numquid ipsi velit dicere. Patron se vero, sed remotis arbitris loqui velle cum eo respondit iussusque propius accedere sine interprete — nam haud radis Graecae linguae Dareus erat — [5] : ‘Rex,’ inquit, ‘ex L milibus Graecorum supersumus pauci, omnis fortunae tuae comites et in hoc tuo statu idem, qui florente te fuimus, quascumque terras elegeris, pro patriar et domesticis rebus petituri. [6] Secundae adversaeque res tuae copulavere nos tecum. Per hanc fidem [p. 141] invictam oro et obtestor, in nostris castris tibi tabernaculum statue : nos corporis tui. custodes esse patiaris. Omisimus Graeciam, nulla Bactra sunt nobis, spes omnis in te: utinam etiam ceteris esset. Plura dici non attinet. Custodiam corporis tui externus et alienigena non deposcerem, si crederem alium posse praestare.’ [7] Bessus quamquam erat Graeci sermonis ignaras, tamen stimulante conscientia indicium profecto Patronem detulisse credebat: et interpretes celato sermone Graeci exempta dubitatio est. Dareus autem, ‘ quantum ex voltu concipi poterat, haud sane territus percontari Patrona causam consilii, quod adferret, coepit. [8] Ille non ultra differendum ratus: ‘Bessus,’ inquit, ‘et Nabarzanes insidiantur tibi, in ultimo discrimine es fortunae tuae et vitae, [9] hic dies aut parricidis aut tibi futurus ultimus.’ Et Patron quidem egregiam conservati regis gloriam tulerat. [10] Eludant fidem licet, quibus forte temere humana negotia volvi agique persuasum est nexuve causarum latentium et multo ante destinatarum suum quemque ordinem inmutabili lege percurrere: [11] Dareus certe respondit, quamquam sibi Graecorum militum fides nota sit, numquam tamen a popularibus suis recessurum. Difficilius sibi esse damnare quam decipi. Quidquid fors tulisset, inter suos perpeti malle quam transfugam fieri. Sero se perire, si salvum sese milites sui nollent. [12] Patron desperata [p. 142] regis salute ad eos, quibus praeerat, rediit omnia pro fide experiri paratus.
XI. But Patron, the leader of the Greeks, ordered his men to put on their arms, which before were carried with the baggage, and to be ready and on the alert for every order of his. He himself was following the king’s chariot, eager for a chance to speak to him; for he had a premonition of the evil design of Bessus. But Bessus, in fear of that very thing, did not move from the chariot, acting as a guard rather than as a companion. Therefore Patron after waiting for a long time and often being restrained from speaking, kept his eyes fixed upon the king, wavering between loyalty and fear. When at last the king turned towards him, he ordered Bubaces, a eunuch who was following the chariot among those nearest Darius, to ask the Greek whether he wished to say anything to him. Patron replied that he did in fact wish to talk with him, but without witnesses, and when bidden to come nearer without an interpreter for Darius was not unacquainted with the Greek language — he said: “My king, out of 50,000 Greeks we are the few that are left, companions of all your fortune, and in your present state unchanged from what we were in your prosperity, ready to seek, in place of our native land and our homes, whatever lands you shall select. Your prosperity and adversity-have linked us with you. By this invincible loyalty I beg and conjure you, pitch your tent in our camp; suffer us to be your body-guards. We have abandoned Greece, no Bactra belongs to us, all our hope is in you; would that it were true also of the rest! It is needless to say more. I, a foreigner and of an alien race, should not demand the guard of your person, if I believed that another could guarantee it.” [7] Although Bessus was unacquainted with the Greek language, yet, pricked by conscience, he believed that Patron had surely revealed his plot; and since the words of the Greek were concealed from interpreters, any doubt was removed. Darius, however, being so far as could be inferred from his expression not at all alarmed, began to question Patron as to the reason for the advice which he brought. The Greek, thinking that there was no room for further delay, said: “Bessus and Nabarzanes are plotting against you, your fortune and your life are in extreme danger, this day will be the last for the traitors or for you.” [9] And in fact Patron had gained the illustrious glory of saving the king. Those may scoff at my belief who haply are convinced that human affairs roll on and take place by mere chance, or that each man runs his ordered course in accordance with a combination of hidden causes determined long beforehand by an immutable law; at any rate, Darius replied, that although the loyalty of the Greek soldiers was well known to him, yet he would never separate himself from his own countrymen; that it was more difficult for him to condemn than to be deceived. Whatever Fortune should offer him he preferred to endure among his own subjects rather than to become a deserter. He was perishing too late, if his own 12 soldiers did not wish him to be saved. Patron, despairing of the king’s safety, returned to those whom he commanded, prepared to submit to every possible trial to the best of his loyalty.
At Bessus occidendi protinus regis impetum cеpеrat: ed veritus, ne gratiam Alexandri, nisi vivum eum tradidisset, inire non posset, dilato in proximam noctem sceleris consilio agere gratias incipit, quod perfidi hominis insidias iam Alexandri opes spectantis prudenter cauteque vitasset: donum eum hosti laturum fuisse regis caput. [2] Nec mirari hominem mercede conductum omnia habere venalia: sine pignore, sine lare, terrarum orbis exulem, ancipitem hostem ad nutum licentium circumferri. [3] Purganti deinde se deosque patrios testes fidei suae invocanti Dareus vultu adsentiebatur, haud dubius, quin vera deferrentur a Graecis: sed eo rerum ventum erat, [4] ut tam periculosum esset non credere suis quam decipi. XXX milia erant, quorum inclinata in scelus
levitas timebatur, mi milia Patron habebat: quibus si credidisset salutem suam damnata popularium fide, parricidio excusationem videbat offerri. Itaque praeoptabat inmerito quam iure violari. [5] Besso tamen insidiarum consilium purganti respondit, Alexandri sibi non minus iustitiam quam virtutem esse perspectam. Falli eos, qui proditionis ab eo praemium expectent: [6] violatae fidei neminem acriorem fore vindicem ultoremque. Iamque nox adpetebat, cum Persae more solito armis positis ad necessaria ex proximo vico ferenda discurrunt. At Bactriani, ut imperatum a Besso erat, armati stabant. [7] Inter haec Dareus Artabazum acciri iubet, expositisque, quae Patron detulerat, haud [p. 143] dubitare Artabazus, quin transeundum esset in castra Graecorum: Persas quoque periculo vulgato secuturos. [8] Destinatus sorti suae et iam nullius salubris consilii patiens unicam in illa fortuna opem Artabazum, ultimum illud visurus, amplectitur perfususque mutuis lacrimis inhaerentem sibi avelli iubet: capite deinde velato, ne inter gemitus digredientem velut a rogo intueretur, in humum pronum corpus abiecit. [9] Tum vero custodiae eius adsueti, quos regis salutem vel periculis vitae tueri oportebat, dilapsi sunt, clam armatis, quos iam adventare credebant, haud rati se futuros pares. Ingens ergo in tabernaculo solitudo erat paucis spadonibus, quia, quo discederent, non habebant, circumstantibus regem. [10] At ille remotis arbitris diu aliud atque aliud consilium animo volutabat. Iamque solitudinem, quam paulo ante pro solacio petiverat, perosus Bubacen vocari iubet. [11] Quem intuens: ‘Ite,’ inquit, ‘consulite vobis ad ultimum regi vestro, ut decebat, fide exhibita: ego hic legem fati mei expecto. Forsitan mireris, quod vitam non finiam : alieno scelere quam meo mori malo.’ [12] Post hanc vocem spado gemitu non tabernaculum modo, sed etiam castra conplevit. Inrupere deinde alii laceratisque vestibus lugubri et barbaro ululatii regem deplorare coeperunt. [13] Persae ad illos clamore perlato attoniti metu nec arma capere, ne in Bactrianos inciderent, nec quiescere audebant, ne inpie deserere regem viderentur. [14] Varius ac dissonus clamor sine duce ac sine imperio totis castris referebatur. Besso et Nabarzani nuntiaverant sui regem a semetipso interemptum esse — planctus eos [p. 144] [15] deceperat — : itaque citatis equis advolant sequentibus, quos ad ministerium sceleris delegerant, et, cum tabernaculum intrassent, quia regem vivere spadones indicabant, [16] conprehendi vincirique iusserunt. Rex curru paulo ante vectus et deorum auspiciis ac summis honoribus cultus nulla externa ope admota captivus servorum suorum in sordidum vehiculum pellibus undique contectum inponitur. [17] Pecunia regis et supellex quasi belli iure diripitur, onustique praeda per scelus ultimum parta fugam intendunt. [18] Artabazus cum iis, qui imperio parebant. Graecisque militibus Parthienen petebat omnia tutiora parricidarum comitatu ratus. [19] Persae promissis Bessi onerati maxime, quia nemo alius erat, quem sequerentur, coniunxere se Bactrianis agmen eorum tertio adsecuti die. [20] Ne tamen honos regi non haberetur, aureis conpedibus Dareum vinciunt nova ludibria subinde excogitante fortuna. Et ne forte cultu regio posset agnosci, sordidis pellibus vehiculum intexerant, ignoti iumenta agebant, ne percontantibus in agmine monstrari posset, custodes procul sequebantur.
Delphi Complete Works of Quintus Curtius Rufus Page 96