Leo of Naples: HISTORIA DE PRELIIS ALEXANDRI MAGNI

1. Et cum audisset, quod Porus, Indorum rex, venisset in adiutorium Darii regis, coepit ire contra eum in Indiam ambulans per spatiosam terram desertam, et transivit per flumina inaquosa et per colles cavernosos et fatigatus est una cum militibus suis, qui etiam omnes principes sui dicebant sic: 'Sufficit, quia venimus pugnando usque Persidam; subiugavimus autem Darium, qui antea censum tollebat Macedonibus. Quid deficiemus, querendo Indiam in locis, in quibus bestiae habitant, et obliviscimur terram nostram? Hic Alexander nihil aliud optat facere nisi ire perliando et subiugando sibi gentes.

1. And when he had heard that Porus, king of the Indians, had come to the aid of King Darius, he began to go against him into India, walking through a spacious desert land, and he crossed through waterless rivers and through cavernous hills, and he was wearied together with his soldiers, and even all his princes were saying thus: 'It is enough, since we have come fighting as far as Persia; moreover we have subjugated Darius, who formerly used to exact tribute from the Macedonians. Why should we fail, seeking India in places in which beasts dwell, and forget our own land? This Alexander desires to do nothing else except to go warring and subjugating peoples to himself.

Nos dimittamus eum; ille eat, quo vult.'

'Let us dismiss him; let him go where he wills.'

Audivit hoc Alexander, stetit dixitque omnibus: 'Separamini abinvicem, Perses in una parte, Macedones et Greci in alia.' Intuens autem Macedones et Grecos dixit: 'O commilitones mei Macedones et Greci, Pers(id)es isti contrarii sunt mihi et vobis. Si posuistis in cordibus vestris, ut contrairetis mihi, redite postergum et ite in patriam vestram. Tamen recordamini hoc, quia et istos solus vici et, ubicumque iero facere pugnam cum barbaris, superabo illos.

Alexander heard this, stood and said to all: 'Separate from one another, the Persians on one side, the Macedonians and Greeks on the other.' Then looking upon the Macedonians and Greeks he said: 'O my fellow-soldiers, Macedonians and Greeks, these Persians are contrary to me and to you. If you have set in your hearts to oppose me, turn back and go to your fatherland. Yet remember this, that I alone also conquered these men, and wherever I go to make battle with the barbarians, I shall overcome them.'

Scitote interim, quia, quando consiliatus sum vos, confortat[a]e sunt animae vestrae, quando venimus pugnaturi in campo. Numquid non steti ego solus ante omnes et solus pro omnibus pugnavi? Numquid non ego solus pro salvatione vestra et totius patriae nostrae abii missus ad Darium regem et tradidi me in multis periculis?

Know, in the meantime, that when I took counsel with you, your souls were strengthened, when we came to fight in the field. Did I not stand alone before all and alone fight for all? Did I not alone, for your salvation and for that of our whole fatherland, go—sent—to King Darius and deliver myself into many perils?

Quod ergo si vultis pergere soli Macedoniam, pergite, quia ego vobiscum non venio, ut cognoscatis, quia nihil valet facere milicia absque consilio regis.' Haec dicente Alexandro erubescentes milites postulaverunt veniam dicentes: 'Amodo vita nostra in vestris manibus sit posita; quodcumque vis facere, fac.'

'Therefore, if you wish to go on alone to Macedonia, go on, for I am not coming with you, so that you may know that the militia cannot accomplish anything without the counsel of the king.' As Alexander said these things, the soldiers, blushing, asked for pardon, saying: 'From now on let our life be placed in your hands; whatever you wish to do, do.'

2. Et post aliquantos dies venerunt in finibus Indi[a]e et obviaverunt ei missi deferentes ei epistolam a rege Poro continentem ita: 'Indorum rex Porus latroni Alexandro, qui latrocinando optinet civitates, precipio: Cum sis mortalis homo, quod prevales deo facere? Quod anxias persequendo homines, qui digni fuerunt sustinere angustiam? Cum mollibus hominibus et qui nullam habuerunt virtutem, pugnasti et, quia vicisti eos, speras te esse victorem omnibus hominibus.

2. And after some days they came to the borders of India and met with envoys, bearing to him a letter from King Porus, containing thus: 'Porus, king of the Indians, to the bandit Alexander, who by brigandage holds cities, I command: Since you are a mortal man, what do you prevail to do against God? Why do you vex, by persecuting, men who were worthy to endure distress? With soft men, and those who had no virtue, you have fought, and because you have conquered them, you hope to be a victor over all men.'

Victorialis et ego sum, et non solum homines obaudiunt mihi, sed etiam dii. Venit aliquando Dionisius, qui dicitur, diffamatus pugnaturus in India, sed terga vertit ante illos et fugit, quia sustinere virtutem Indorum non potuit. Quapropter antequam tupitudo tibi eveniat, dabo tibi consilium et precipio, ut festinanter revertaris terram tuam, quia, antequam Xerses fuisset, nobis dabant Macedones censum.

Victorious am I too, and not only do men obey me, but even the gods. Once there came Dionysus, as he is called, renowned as about to wage war in India, but he turned his back before them and fled, because he could not withstand the valor of the Indians. Wherefore, before disgrace befalls you, I will give you counsel and I command that you hastily return to your land, because, before Xerxes had existed, the Macedonians used to pay tribute to us.

Sed quemadmodum inutilis terra et placabilia esse videntur, dedignavimus illam. Omnis itaque homo plus desiderat amplam causam quam parvam. Ecce [tertio] te contestor, ut revertaris et, ubi dominationem habere non poteris, desiderium ibi non habeas.'

But since the land seems useless and appeasable, we have disdained it. Every man, therefore, desires an ample cause more than a small one. Behold, [for the third time] I adjure you to return, and where you will not be able to have dominion, have no desire there.'

Pervenit haec epistola Alexandro; relegit eam coram omnibus et dixit: 'Viri commilitones, fortem animum vestrum non conturbent iterum Pori regis epistolae. Recordamini verba epistolarum Darii regis, quomodo superbe et cum audatia locutus est. Veritatem dico vobis, quia omnes barbari communem sensum habent; adsimilati sunt bestiis videlicet tigri, pardo et ceteris aliis; bestiae itaque confidentes in agresti virtute sua habent exinde audaciam et raro occiduntur ab hominibus.'

This letter reached Alexander; he re-read it before everyone and said: 'Men, fellow-soldiers, let not the letters of King Porus again disturb your stout spirit. Remember the words in the letters of King Darius, how proudly and with audacity he spoke. I tell you the truth, for all barbarians have a common mind; they are likened to beasts—namely the tiger, the pard, and the rest; the beasts therefore, confident in their wild strength, have from that audacity and are rarely slain by men.'

Haec loquente Alexandro scripsit epistolam tali modo: 'Rex Alexander Poro regi gaudium. Acuisti sensum nostrum et prebuisti nobis audatiam, qualiter pugnaremus contra vos. Dixisti iterum, quia in Macedonia nihil boni inveniretur, sed neque esset fertilis terra et omni bono atque dulcedine efflueret India.

As Alexander was saying these things, he wrote a letter in the following manner: 'King Alexander to King Porus, greeting. You have sharpened our understanding and have provided us audacity as to how we should fight against you. You said again that in Macedonia nothing good could be found, nor was it a fertile land, while India overflowed with every good and with sweetness.

Proinde toto mentis conamine pugnamus, ut acquiramus ea. Quia dixisti, ut omnis homo plus diligeret amplam causam quam parvam, nos, qui parvi sumus, ad magnitudinem vestri culminis venire optamus, quam Greci non habent. Quod autem dicebat vestra epistola, quod non solum hominibus, sed etiam diis existeres imperator, ego ita pugnaturus venio quasi cum homine et barbaro et qui se multum extollit et non quasi cum deo, quia arma unius dei totus mundus sufferre non poterit, et non sine causa, quia, si elementa huius aÎris, videlicet tonitrua et fulgura et plenitudo aquarum, sustinere non potuerunt indignationem deorum, quanto magis homines? Quin immo scias, quia stuta elatio tua me non conturbat.'

Therefore with the total effort of our mind we fight, in order that we may acquire them. Because you said that every man should love a large cause more than a small one, we, who are small, desire to come to the greatness of your summit, which the Greeks do not have. But as to what your letter said, that you exist as emperor not only over men but even over gods, I come to fight as with a man and a barbarian and one who exalts himself greatly, and not as with a god, because the whole world will not be able to bear the arms of a single god—and not without cause, since, if the elements of this air, namely thunders and lightnings and the plenitude of waters, have not been able to sustain the indignation of the gods, how much more so men? Nay rather, know that your foolish elation does not disturb me.'

3. Relegit hanc epistolam Porus et iratus est congregataque multitudine militum suorum atque elefantos multos, cum quibus Indi pugnare soliti erant, exierunt illis obviam. Videntes Macedones atque Perses, qui cum Alexandro erant, preparationem atque multitudinem Indorum expavescentes turbati sunt non tantum plenitudinem hominum quantum ferarum. Ferebat enim secum Alexander statuas aereas et sapienter cogitans mittens eas in ignem, ut calefierent, faciensque receptaculum ferreum ignium, ut sustineret eas et portaret ante elefantos.

3. Porus reread this letter and became angry, and, a multitude of his own soldiers having been gathered together, along with many elephants, with which the Indians were accustomed to fight, they went out to meet them. Seeing this, the Macedonians and the Persians who were with Alexander, terrified at the preparation and the multitude of the Indians, were thrown into confusion, not so much at the plenitude of men as of beasts. For Alexander was carrying with him bronze statues and, thinking wisely, was casting them into the fire so that they might be heated, and making an iron receptacle of fires, in order that it might support them and carry them before the elephants.

Videntes autem elefanti cogitaverunt esse homines, tendentes rostra sua secundum consuetudinem, ut caperent eos, prenimio calore incensi sunt, redeuntes retro moriebantur. Aliae vero exturbatae nullomodo pergebant pugnaturi super homines. Videns autem Porus, quod de feris factum est, turbatus est valde.

But the elephants, on seeing them, supposed them to be men; stretching out their trunks according to their custom to seize them, they were set ablaze by the excessive heat, and, retreating backward, were dying. But others, driven into confusion, by no means went on to fight against men. But Porus, seeing what had happened to the beasts, was greatly disturbed.

Perses vero impetum facientes super Indos cum sagittis et lanceis fugaverunt eos, quamvis ex his et illis maxima strages hominum facta fuisset. Videns autem Alexander iratus est, sedens caballum Bucefalon ingessus est pugnam, proeliavit fortiter, quin etiam adiuvans eum non modice ipse caballus. Et per continuos viginti dies pugnabant inter se.

But the Persians, making an assault upon the Indians with arrows and lances, put them to flight, although on both sides a very great slaughter of men had been made. Seeing this, Alexander became angry, and, seated upon the horse Bucephalus, he entered the combat and fought bravely, indeed the horse himself also helping him not a little. And for a continuous twenty days they fought among themselves.

4. Videns autem Alexander, quia defecerat populus, stetit solus ante hostem et locutus est Poro regi: 'Non decet imperatori sic in vacuum perdere victorialem populum suum, sed oportet, ut per semet ipsum rex ostendat virtutem suam. Stet populus tuus in una parte et meus similiter; ego et tu solitarii pugnemus manu ad manum. Quod si me occideris, populus meus sit tuus; quod si econtra in manibus meis defeceris, populus uus computetur mihi.'

4. But Alexander, seeing that the people had failed, stood alone before the enemy and spoke to King Porus: 'It is not fitting for an emperor thus to squander his victorious people in vain, but it is proper that a king should show his virtue by himself. Let your people stand on one side and mine likewise; I and you, solitary, let us fight hand to hand. If you kill me, let my people be yours; but if, on the contrary, you fail in my hands, let your people be reckoned to me.'

Audiens haec Porus gavisus est et promisit se ita esse facturum, indignum ducens corpus Alexandri, confidens in altitudine sua; habens enim cubita quinque despiciens Alexandrum, quia habebat in altitudine cubita tria. Recedente vero et stante in suo ordine utroque hosti pugnatum est ab illis ambobus, et vociferaverunt milites Pori. Audiens Porus vociferationem suorum tornavit caput.

Hearing these things, Porus rejoiced and promised he would do thus, deeming the body of Alexander unworthy, confiding in his height; for he had five cubits, looking down on Alexander, because he had in height three cubits. But when each foe had withdrawn and stood in his own order, the fight was engaged by both of them, and the soldiers of Porus vociferated. Hearing the vociferation of his own men, Porus turned his head.

Impetum faciens Alexander plicatis pedibus exiliens super eum percutiensque illum gladio et vitam finivit. Et tunc acriter pugnatum est ab his et illis. Stans autem Alexander dixit illis: 'Miseri, post mortem regis vestri utquid pugnatis?' Cui illi dixerunt: 'Quia nolumus subdere vobis terram nostram, ut depredetur.' Quibus Alexander: 'Cesset nunc pugnatio et ite liberi ac securi in domos vestras, quia non presumpsistis vos pugnare populum nostrum, sed rex vester.' Haec dicente castra metatus est et fecit sepelire Porum.

Making an assault, Alexander, with knees bent, leaping upon him and striking him with the sword, ended his life. And then fiercely it was fought by these and by those. But Alexander, standing, said to them: 'Wretches, after the death of your king, why do you fight?' To whom they said: 'Because we do not wish to subject our land to you, to be depredated.' To whom Alexander: 'Let the fighting now cease, and go free and secure to your homes, for it was not you who presumed to fight our people, but your king.' As he said these things, he pitched camp and had Porus buried.

Et inde congregato magno apparatu exercitus abiit Oxidracis. Oxidraces vero non sunt superbi homines neque pugnant cum aliquo. Nudi enim ambulant et dicuntur gymnosofistae.

And from there, with a great apparatus of the army congregated, he went to the Oxydracae. The Oxydracae, however, are not proud men, nor do they fight with anyone. For they walk naked and are called gymnosophists.

In tuguriis habitant non habentes civitatem neque habitaciones.

In huts they dwell, having no city nor habitations.

5. Cum autem audisset rex gentis huius adventum Alexandri, misit ad eum honoratos suos cum epistolis dicendo sic: 'Corruptibiles gymnosofistae Alexandro homini scribimus. Audivimus, quod venias super nos. Quod si pugnaturus veneris, nihil lucri acquiris, quia, quod tollere aut quod auferre a nobis, nil invenies et illud, quod habemus, nullomodo audet quis inde aliquid tollere, nisi quantum divina providentia ei concesserit.

5. But when the king of this nation had heard of the advent of Alexander, he sent to him his honored men with epistles, saying thus: 'We, the corruptible gymnosophists, write to Alexander the man. We have heard that you are coming upon us. But if you should come to fight, you acquire no profit, for you will find nothing to take or to carry off from us; and as for that which we have, no one at all dares to take anything from it, except to the extent that divine providence has granted it to him.

Quod si pugnare vis, pugna, quia nos simplicitatem nostram non dimittimus.' Relegit hoc Alexander et mandavit illis dicendo: 'Et nos pacifici venimus ad vos.' Statim ingressus est ad eos intuens illos omnes ambulare nudos et habitare in abditis tuguriis et in speluncis. Filii vero et uxores eorum separati erant ab illiscum animalibus.

‘But if you wish to fight, fight, since we do not abandon our simplicity.’ Alexander read this over and sent word to them, saying: ‘We too have come to you pacific.’ Straightway he entered to them, beholding them all walking naked and dwelling in hidden huts and in caves. But their sons and their wives were separated from them with the animals.

6. Alexander vero interrogavit unum ex illis: 'Non sunt sepulcra vobis?' Ostendit ei(s) habitationem suam dicens: 'Hic, ubi habito, sufficit mihi.' Et dixit omnibus Alexander: 'Quaerite, quod vultis, et dabitur vobis.' Cui illi: 'Da nobis inmortalitatem.' Quibus Alexander: 'Mortalis cum sim, inmortalitatem vobis dare non possum.' At illi dixerunt: 'Et si mortalis es, quare vadis discurrendo et faciendo tanta ac talia?' Quibus ille: 'Ist[a]e caus[a]e non gubernantur nisi de superna providentia; ministri eius sumus facientes iussionem illius. Mare nullomodo turbatur, nisi cum ventus ingressus fuerit. Volo quiescere et recedere a pugnis, sed dominus sensus mei non me dimittit hoc facere.

6. But Alexander asked one of them: 'Have you no tombs?' He showed him their dwelling, saying: 'Here, where I live, is enough for me.' And Alexander said to them all: 'Seek what you wish, and it will be given to you.' To whom they: 'Give us immortality.' To whom Alexander: 'Since I am mortal, I cannot give you immortality.' But they said: 'And if you are mortal, why do you go running about and doing such great things and such as these?' To whom he: 'These causes are not governed except by supernal providence; we are its ministers, doing his command. The sea is in no way troubled unless when the wind has entered. I wish to rest and withdraw from fights, but the master of my mind does not allow me to do this.'

Si omnes unius intellegenti[a]e fuissemus, totus mundus sicut ager unus fuisset.'

'If we had all been of one intelligence, the whole world would have been like a single field.'

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17. Dicens hoc Alexander cepit ire et fatigatus est multum in ipso itinere, quia erant ibi loca inambulatoria. Scripsit epistolam Aristoteli de causa, quae ei acciderat:

17. Saying this, Alexander began to go and was much wearied on the very journey, because there were there unwalkable places. He wrote an epistle to Aristotle about the cause of what had happened to him:

I. Alexander Aristoteli gaudium. Admirabiles causas, quae nobis acciderunt, dignum est, ut significentur vobis. Postquam percussimus Darium et subiugavimus Persidam et cepimus ire ad Caspias portas, venimus ad quendam fluvium, qui habebat in medio civitatem coopertam [cannis]. Barcellae erant in ipso fluvio.

1. Alexander to Aristotle, joy. Admirable events which have happened to us ought to be signified to you. After we struck Darius and subjugated Persia and began to go to the Caspian Gates, we came to a certain river, which had in its midst a city covered [with reeds]. Little barques were in the river itself.

II. Applicavimus ibi hora diei tercia. Aqua ipsius fluvii erat amara nimis velut elleborum. In circuitu ipsius civitatis erat fluvius quasi stadia quattuor.

2. We put in there at the third hour of the day. The water of that river was very bitter, like hellebore. Encircling that city ran a river, about four stadia.

Quidam audaces ex nostris iuvenes evaginatis gladiis nudi ingressi sunt fluvium triginta septem; sugentes besti[a]e ipsius fluvii, quid dicuntur yppopotami, et devoraverunt eos.

Some bold youths of ours, with swords drawn, went into the river naked—thirty-seven; and the beasts of that very river, which are called hippopotami, sucking them in, devoured them.

III. Girantes autem fluvium ex alia parte perreximus superius et invenimus stagnum mellifluum ac dulcem. Applicavimus ibi et fecimus succendi focum.

3. However, going around the river on the other side, we proceeded upstream and found a honey-flowing and sweet pool. We put in there and had a fire lit.

Hora vero tertia noctis exeuntes subito ferae silvestres venerunt ad ipsum stagnum bibere aquam. Erant ibi scorpiones longitudine cubiti unius mixti inter se albi et rubei. Videntes autem eos venit super nos maxima angustia, qui etiam quidam ex nostris mortui sunt.

At the third hour of the night, going out, suddenly wild forest beasts came to that very pond to drink water. There were scorpions there, a cubit in length, mixed among themselves, white and red. On seeing them, the greatest anguish came upon us, and indeed some of our own died.

Venerunt ibi et leones mir[a]e magnitudinis et rinocerotes. Omnes istae bestiae exiebant ex arundineto ipsius stagni. Et erant inter eos porci silvatici magni vale forciores leonibus habentes dentes per longum cubitum unum.

There came there also lions of wondrous magnitude and rhinoceroses. All these beasts were coming forth from the reed-bed of the pond itself. And among them were great wild boars, very strong—stronger than the lions—having teeth a full cubit in length.

Erant ibi pardali et tigrides et scorpiones atque elefanti et homines silvatici habentes sex manus; similiter et feminae eorum. Inter haec habebamus maximas angustias, quia occurrerunt super nos; cum lanceis et sagittis eiecimus eas a nobis. Posuimus focum in ipsis silvis, ut fugerent ipsae ferae.

There were there pards (leopards) and tigers and scorpions and elephants and sylvan men having six hands; likewise also their women. Amid these things we had the greatest anguish, because they fell upon us; with lances and arrows we drove them away from us. We set a fire in the very woods, so that the wild beasts themselves might flee.

IV. Venit super nos bestia mir[a]e magnitudinis fortior elefanto, odontotirannos, et fecit impetum veniendi ad nos; nos autem discurrentes huc atque illuc confortando milites, ut adiuvarent se; ex alia parte irruens bestia occidit ex nostris viginti sex. Quidam autem milites armati occiderunt eam.

4. There came upon us a beast of wondrous magnitude, stronger than an elephant, an Odontotyrannus, and it made an assault to come at us; but we, running here and there, encouraging the soldiers to help themselves; the beast, rushing in from the other side, killed 26 of ours. But some armed soldiers killed it.

V. Sequenti vero nocte exeuntes vulpes ex arena et corcodili ex arundineto et comedebant corpora mortuorum. Volabant ibi et vespertiliones tam magni ut columbae; dentes eorum ut dentes homines; mordentes homines, tollentes illis nares et aures atque digitos manuum.

5. But on the following night foxes came out from the sand and crocodiles from the reed-bed, and they were eating the bodies of the dead. Bats too were flying there, as large as doves; their teeth like the teeth of men; biting people, tearing from them noses and ears and the fingers of the hands.

VI. Movimus inde et venimus in campum, qui dicitur Actia, et applicavimus ibi. Erat in circuitu eius condensa silva, et erant ibi arbores fructifer[a]e, ex quibus nutriebantur homines argrestes, habentes formam ut gigantes induti vestimeno pellicio. Exeuntes cum longis contis occiderunt ex nostris.

6. We moved from there and came into a plain, which is called Actia, and we made camp there. Around it there was a dense forest, and there were fruit-bearing trees there, from which rustic men were nourished, having a form like giants, clad in a fur garment. Coming out with long poles, they killed some of ours.

Videntes autem defecisse nostros precepimus nostris militibus, ut vociferarent. Nos autem magnis vocibus acclamantes, quia non erat illis cognitum audire vocem hominum, timuerunt et fugerunt in ipsam silvam. Nos autem insequentes illos occidimus ex eis sexcentos triginta quatuor.

But seeing that our men had given way, we commanded our soldiers to vociferate. And we, acclaiming with great voices, because to hear the voice of men was not known to them, they were afraid and fled into the very forest. But we, pursuing them, killed 634 of them.

Ceciderunt ex nostris centum viginti septem. Stetimus ibi tres dies comedentes poma ipsarum arborum.

One hundred twenty-seven of ours fell. We stood there for three days eating the fruits of those very trees.

VII. Deinde venimus ad quendam fluvium, in quo erat civitas locuples valde. Hora vero incumbente nona venit super nos quidam magnus homo agrestis, pilosus ut porcus.

7. Then we came to a certain river, on which there was a very opulent city. But with the ninth hour pressing on, there came upon us a certain very large rustic man, hairy as a pig.

Precepi militibus meis, ut apprehenderent eum. Impetum autem facientes super eum neque timuit neque fugiit, sed stetit intrepidus. Precepi autem venire puellam et iussi eam expoliari atque mitter ante eum.

I ordered my soldiers to apprehend him. But making an assault upon him, he neither feared nor fled, but stood intrepid. I also ordered that the girl come, and I commanded that she be stripped and sent before him.

Ille autem impetum faciens apprehendit eam et stetit in parte. Cucurrimus, ut tolleremus eam illi; mugiit ut fera et quamvis cum maxima angustia apprehendimus eum. Precepit illum ligari et occidi in ignem.

But he, making an assault, apprehended her and stood apart. We ran to take her away from him; he bellowed like a wild beast, and, although with the greatest difficulty, we apprehended him. He ordered him to be bound and to be killed in the fire.

VIII. Iterum movimus inde et venimus in alium campum, in quo ab hora diei prima exiebant arbores et crescebant usque in horam sextam. Ab [h]ora autem sexta usque ad occasum solis descendebant subtus terram.

8. Again we moved from there and came into another plain, in which from the first hour of the day the trees came out and grew until the sixth hour. But from the sixth hour until sunset they descended beneath the earth.

Ist[a]e arbores ferebant fructus odoriferos. Precepique quibusdam hominibus meis, ut tollerent ex liquore ipsarum arborum. Illi autem accedentes propius, exierunt demones et flagellarunt eos.

Thes[e] trees bore odoriferous fruits. And I instructed certain of my men to take from the liquor of the trees themselves. But as they approached nearer, demons came out and flagellated them.

Audivimus vocem de celo allatam precipientem nobis, ut ne unus quidem incideret aliquid ex ipsis arboribus, quia, si factum fuerit, moriemini. Erant ibi et mitissima volatilia. Qui autem volebant eos tangere, exiebat ignis et incendebat eos.

We heard a voice borne from heaven commanding us that not even a single one should cut anything from those trees, because, if it shall have been done, you will die. And there were also most gentle birds there. But those who wished to touch them—fire would come forth and would burn them.

IX. Venimus in fines Oceani maris, in quo sunt cardines caeli. Audivimus in ipso mari loquentes homines linguam Grecam. Quidam vero ex militibus nostris exuentes se vestimentis suis voluerunt ingredi per mare ad ipsam insulam.

9. We came to the borders of the Ocean sea, in which are the cardinal points of heaven. We heard, in the sea itself, men speaking the Greek language. Certain indeed of our soldiers, stripping off their garments, wished to enter through the sea to that very island.

Surgentes besti[a]e, quae vocantur carcyni et apprehenderunt viginti milites et submerserunt eos in profundo maris.

Rising beasts, which are called carcyni, seized twenty soldiers and drowned them in the deep of the sea.

X. Abinde venimus ad quendam locum, in quo erat arbor, quae non habebat fructum neque folia, et sedebat super avis, quae habebat super caput suum lucentes radios sicut sol, quae vocabatur Fenix.

10. From there we came to a certain place, in which there was a tree that had neither fruit nor leaves, and upon it sat a bird which had upon its head shining rays like the sun, which was called the Phoenix.

XI. Deinde venimus ad montem, et erat sub eo ripa, in qua pendebat catena aurea, et habebat ipse mons grados duo milia quingenti ex saffiro. Ascendi aut(t)em ipsum montem cum aliquantis militibus meis et inveni ibi palacium habentem limitarem et superlimitarem et fenes[tras] et timpana et cymbala ex auro. Et erat templum ibi totum aureum et erat ibi lectus cum preciosa lectisternia.

11. Then we came to a mountain, and beneath it there was a bank, on which a golden chain was hanging, and the mountain itself had 2,500 steps of sapphire. However, I ascended that mountain with some of my soldiers and found there a palace having a lintel and a superlintel and windows, and tympana and cymbals of gold. And there was a temple there wholly golden, and there was there a bed with precious lectisternia.

Iacebat ibi unus homo magnissimus atque clarissimus, indutus veste alba, bambicea, ornata ex auro et lapidibus preciosis. Vidi ibi et auream viniam ferentem botros ex lapidibus preciosis adoravique ipsum hominem et descendi.

There lay there a man most great and most illustrious, clothed in a white, bombacean garment, adorned with gold and precious stones. I also saw there a golden vine bearing clusters made from precious stones, and I adored that very man and descended.

XII. Deinde perrexi per continuos quindecim dies et veni in terram, quae dicitur Prasiaca. Cognoscentes autem habitatores terr[a]e illius adventum nostrum adduxerunt nobis xenia, pelles ex piscibus, habentes figuras ex pelle pardoleonis, et pelles murenarum longitudine cubitorum sex.

12. Then I proceeded for continuous fifteen days and came into a land which is called Prasiaca. But the inhabitants of that land, recognizing our arrival, brought us xenia: skins from fishes, having figures like the hide of a leopard, and skins of moray eels six cubits in length.

18. Erat ibi et civitas murata ex monte sine calce et precisis lapidibus. Primatum ipsius regni tenebat quaedam femina vidua, nomine Candacis, habebatque tres filios. Direxi illi epistolam: 'Rex Alexander Candacis regin[a]e gaudium.

18. There was there also a walled city, built from the mountain without lime and with hewn stones. The primacy of that kingdom was held by a certain widow woman, by the name Candace, and she had three sons. I dispatched to her a letter: 'King Alexander to Queen Candace, joy.

Dirigo tibi templum et statuam Ammonis, ut venias et eamus simul ad montes atque offeramu ei.' Rescripsit et illa mihi: 'Candacis, regina Merois, regi Alexandro gaudium. Revelatum tibi fuit ab Ammone, deo tuo, ut ires et pugnares Egyptum; concessum enim tibi fuit ab ipsis diis. Nos itaque claras ac lucidas habemus animas plus quam hi, quid apud te sunt.

'I dispatch to you the temple and a statue of Ammon, that you may come and let us go together to the mountains and offer to him.' She too wrote back to me: 'Candacis, queen of Meroe, greeting to King Alexander. It has been revealed to you by Ammon, your god, that you should go and fight Egypt; for it has been granted to you by the gods themselves. We therefore have souls clear and lucid, more than those who are with you.'

Dirigo tibi aureos vipedes centum, set et infantulos Et(t)hiopes centum et intelligibiles aves psittachos ducenti et spingas ducenti; Ammoni itaque deo dirigo coronam ex lapidibus preciosis videlicet ex smaragdine et margaritis, sd et insertas catenas decem ex preciosis lapidibus. Mandavimus et vobis cluvias decem ex auro; cantras aureas triginta et elefantos quadringenti quinquaginta, rinocerotes octoginta, pantheros tria milia; pelles pardoleonis quadrigenti; vectes ebenos mille quingenti. Et dirige nobis dicendo, si subiugasti totum mundum.

I send to you 100 golden vipers, and also 100 Ethiopian infants, and 200 intelligible birds, parrots, and 200 sphinxes; to Ammon, therefore, the god, I send a crown from precious stones—namely of smaragdine and pearls—and also ten inlaid chains of precious stones. We have also sent to you ten golden keys; thirty golden canthari, and 450 elephants, 80 rhinoceroses, 3,000 panthers; 400 leopard skins; 1,500 ebony bars. And send word to us, saying whether you have yoked the whole world beneath you.

19. Inter missos suos direxit peritissimum pictorem, ut diligenter consideraret et depingeret figuram illius atque adduceret eam illi. Quod et factum est. Unus ex filiis Candacis regin[a]e, cui nomen Candaulis, cum paucis equitibus abii ad tabernaculum Alexandri.

19. Among his envoys he dispatched a most skilled painter, to examine carefully and to depict his likeness and to bring it to him. And this too was done. One of the sons of Candace the queen, by name Candaules, with a few horsemen went to Alexander’s tent.

Custodes autem, qui vigilabant super exercitum, apprehenderunt eum atque portaverunt illum Ptolomeo, qui secundus erat ab Alexandro. Cui Ptolomeus: 'Quis es tu?' Et ille: 'Filius Candacis regin[a]e sum.' At ille: 'Quare huc venisti?' 'Exivi cum uxore mea exercere me cum paucis equitibus. Rex Bebrecorum sciendo pulcritudinem uxoris meae venit super me cum valida manu, tulit mihi uxorem meam; etiam, quia volui defendere me, occidit plures milites meos.' Cui Ptolomeus: 'Expecta.'

But the guards, who were keeping watch over the army, seized him and brought him to Ptolemy, who was second after Alexander. Ptolemy to him: 'Who are you?' And he: 'I am the son of Queen Candace.' Then he: 'Why have you come here?' 'I went out with my wife to exercise myself with a few horsemen. The king of the Bebrecs, knowing the beauty of my wife, came upon me with a strong force, took my wife from me; and also, because I wished to defend myself, he killed many of my soldiers.' To whom Ptolemy: 'Wait.'

Interim exiliens de tabernaculo suo abiit ad tabernaculum regis, in quo dormiebat, excitans eum, referens illi omnia, quae audierat ab ipso iuvene. Quo audito surrexit tollens diadema capitis sui, coronavit Ptolomeum, cui et dixit: 'Revertere tabernaculum tuum, et sed in solio regali et dic: 'Ego sum Alexander rex' et praecipe homini tuo, ut faciat venire ad te quasi Antigonum hominem tuum, et veniad ad me et adducat me ante te quasi hominem tuum. Et dum venio ante te, recita mihi omnia ante ipsum iuvenem, quaecumque tibi dixit, et interroga me sub persona Antigoni(s) ut dem tibi consilium , quid exinde facere debeas.' Et ita factum est.

Meanwhile, leaping out from his tent he went to the king’s tent, in which he was sleeping, rousing him and relating to him everything that he had heard from the youth himself. On hearing this, he rose, lifting the diadem from his head, crowned Ptolemy, and said to him: ‘Return to your tent, and sit on the royal throne and say: ‘I am Alexander the king,’ and command your man to make come to you as it were Antigonus, your man, and let him come to me and bring me before you as if I were your man. And when I come before you, recite to me everything before that same youth, whatever he told you, and question me under the persona of Antigonus, that I may give you counsel as to what from that you ought to do.’ And so it was done.

Cui Alexander astante Candauli dixit: 'Domine, precipe mihi, et ego pergo hora noctis et supervenio ipsam civitatem ac succendam eam igni et facio, ut per vim reddant uxorem eius.'

To whom Alexander, with Candaules standing by, said: 'Lord, command me, and I will proceed in the hour of night and come upon that very city and set it on fire, and I will cause that by force they give back his wife.'

20. Et statim adoravit eum Candaulis et dixit: 'O sapientissime Antigone, optimum fuerat, ut tu fuisses res Alexander et non fuisses subiectus illi.' Quod et factum est: abiit hora noctis silentio et succendit ipsam civitatem igni. Evigilantes autem homines ipsius civitatis clamaverunt dicentes: 'Quid est hoc?' At illi dixerunt: 'Candaulis est cum plurimo hoste, ut reddatur uxor eius. Sin alias, moriemini omnes per ignem.' Irruentes autem homines ipsius civitatis fregentes portas palatii abstrahentes inde uxorem Candaulis reddiderunt eam illi.

20. And straightway Candaules adored him and said: 'O most wise Antigonus, it would have been best that you had been King Alexander and had not been subject to him.' And so it was done: he went in the hour of the night, in silence, and set that very city on fire. But the men of that city, waking, cried out, saying: 'What is this?' And those men said: 'Candaules is here with a very great host, so that his wife may be returned. Otherwise, you will all die by fire.' Rushing in, the men of that city, breaking the palace gates, dragging out from there the wife of Candaules, returned her to him.

Volvens se Alexandro dixit: 'Mi karissime Antigone, crede mihi atque promitto tibi et rogo te, ut venias mecum ad matrem meam, quatenus reddat tibi dignum meritum et offerat tibi dona regalia.' Gaudens Alexander dixit: 'Eamus ad Alexandrum et postula me ab illo et ego venio tecum.' Significavit hoc antea Ptolomeo, et tunc abiit Candaulis et petiit eum ab illo. Accepta licentia abiit cum eo.

Turning to Alexander he said: 'My dearest Antigonus, believe me, and I promise you and I ask you to come with me to my mother, so that she may render to you a worthy recompense and offer you regal gifts.' Rejoicing, Alexander said: 'Let us go to Alexander, and ask him for me, and I will come with you.' He signified this beforehand to Ptolemy, and then Candaules went and requested him from him. Leave having been received, he went with him.

21. Cum autem issent per viam et vidisset Alexander altos montes pertingere usque ad nubes, miratus est. Viditque excelsas arbores portantes poma grandia ut cedrus habentes et botros uvae magnos valde, quales portare non potuerat unus homo. Vidit et nuces sicut pepones.

21. And when they had gone along the road and Alexander had seen high mountains reaching up to the clouds, he marveled. And he saw lofty trees, like the cedar, bearing large fruits, and clusters of grapes very great indeed, such as one man could not carry. He also saw nuts like melons.

Erant et dracones in ipsis arboribus et scimiae multae. Et post paucos dies venimus in civitatem Candacis reginae.

There were also dragons in those very trees and many apes. And after a few days we came into the city of Queen Candace.

22. Exiit ad nos foras portans auream coronam, longa atque pulcra nimis. Visum est Alexandro, quod quasi matrem suam vidisset. Palatium vero eius erat optimum, et fulgebat tectum ipsius palatii, quasi aureum esset.

22. She went out to us outside carrying a golden crown, long and very beautiful. It seemed to Alexander as though he had seen his mother. Her palace indeed was most excellent, and the roof of that palace was gleaming, as if it were golden.

Lectisternia eius erant ornata ex purissimo aero; fialae erant ibi ex lapidibus preciosis, sed elefantinas mensas vidimus ibi; triclinia vero ipsius palatii erant constructa ex lapide oni[c]hino; columnae ipsius palacii erant ex ebeno. Falcatos currus ibi vidimus sculptos in lapide porfiretico apparentes nobis, quasi currerent. Vidimus ibi et elefantos sculptos in eadem petra quasi conculcantes homines cum pedibus suis.

His lectisterns were adorned from the purest bronze; phials were there of precious stones, but we saw ivory tables there; the triclinia of the palace were constructed from onychine stone; the columns of the palace were of ebony. We saw there scythed chariots carved in porphyry, appearing to us as if they were running. We saw there also elephants carved in the same rock, as if trampling men with their feet.

Suptus ipsum palacium currebat fluvius habens claritatem aquae quasi auro. Vidi hoc et miratus sum. Illo namque die comedi cum fratribus Candaulis.

Beneath the very palace there ran a river, having the clarity of water as if of gold. I saw this and was amazed. For on that day I ate with the brothers of Candaules.

Alio namque die apprehendit me Candacis regina per manum introducens me in cubiculum, quod erat constructum ex lapidibus habentes aureum colorem; lucebatque intus, quasi sol refulsisset ibi. Vidi et ibi triclinium ex lignis asiptis, qui non incenduntur ab igne. Vidi ibi et aliud cubiculum constructum super ligna maxima cum rotis et trahebant eum viginti elefanti.

On another day, moreover, Queen Candace took me by the hand, leading me into a bedchamber, which was constructed of stones having a golden color; and it was shining within, as if the sun had flashed forth there. I saw there also a triclinium made from asbestos-wood, which is not burned by fire. I saw there also another bedchamber constructed upon very great timbers with wheels, and twenty elephants were pulling it.

Dixique regin[a]e: 'Ist[a]e caus[a]e dign[a]e fuerant ammirari, si apud Grecos fuissent.' Irata est regina et dixit: 'Veritatem dicis, Alexander.' Qui ubi audivit nomen suum, expavit. Cui illa: 'Quare mutata est facies tua, quia vocavi te Alexandrum?' Cui ille: 'Domina, Antigonus nomen est mihi, non Alexander.' At illa: 'Ego ostendo tibi, quomodo Alexander es.' Introduxitque eum cubiculum suum et monstravit illi imaginem suam et dixit: 'Agnoscis hanc imaginem?' Cepit pallescere et contremiscere Alexander. Et illa: 'Quare mutatus est color tuus et expavescis, destructor tocius Persid[a]e, destructor et Indi[a]e, superans Indos atque Parthos?

And I said to the queen: 'These things would have been worthy to admire, if they had been among the Greeks.' The queen grew angry and said: 'You speak the truth, Alexander.' When he heard his name, he was appalled. To him she said: 'Why has your face changed, because I called you Alexander?' And he: 'Lady, Antigonus is my name, not Alexander.' But she: 'I will show you how you are Alexander.' And she introduced him into her bedchamber and showed him his image and said: 'Do you recognize this image?' Alexander began to grow pale and to tremble. And she: 'Why has your color changed and are you terrified, destroyer of all Persia, destroyer also of India, overcoming the Indians and the Parthians?'

Modo sine militibus, sine aliquo conflictu cecidisti in manu regin[a]e Candacis. Unde scias, Alexander, quia nullomodo debet elevari cor hominis in elatione, qualiacumque sequantur eum prospera, et ne cogitet in corde suo, quod non inveniad alium hominem fortiorem sibi, qui eum super(h)abundet.'

'Just now, without soldiers, without any conflict, you have fallen into the hand of Queen Candace. Whence know, Alexander, that in no way ought the heart of a man to be elevated in elation, whatever prosperities may follow him; and let him not think in his heart that he will not find another man stronger than himself, who will surpass him.'

In hoc cepi stridere dentibus et tornavi me in aliam partem. At illa: 'Cur irasceris et quare conturbatus es? Quid nunc facere poterit imperialis gloria tua?' Et ille: 'Irascor, quia non habeo gladium.' Dixit et illa: 'Si habuisses gladium, quid facere potueras?' Et Alexander: 'Quia traditus sum per meam voluntatem, primum occidam te, postea memet ipsum.' Cui illa: 'Et hoc, quod dixisti, sicut sapiens imperator dixisti. Sed tamen, ne contristeris, quia, sicut tu adiuvasti et liberasti uxorem filii mei de manibus inimicorum suorum, sic et ego eruo et liberabo te de manibus barbarorum, ut non occidaris, quia, si notum fuerit illis de adventu tuo, occidunt te, quomodo tu occidisti Porum, Indorum regem, quia et uxor iunioris filii mei filia Pori est.'

At this I began to grind my teeth and I turned myself to the other side. But she: 'Why are you irate and why are you disturbed? What now will your imperial glory be able to do?' And he: 'I am angry, because I do not have a sword.' And she said: 'If you had had a sword, what could you have done?' And Alexander: 'Since I have been delivered up of my own will, first I will kill you, afterwards myself.' To whom she: 'And this which you have said, you have spoken like a wise emperor. But nevertheless, do not be saddened, because, just as you aided and freed the wife of my son from the hands of her enemies, so also I will draw out and liberate you from the hands of the barbarians, that you not be killed, because if your arrival becomes known to them, they will kill you, just as you killed Porus, king of the Indians, because the wife of my younger son is also the daughter of Porus.'

23. Et exiit foras iterum tenens me per manum et dixit filiis suis: 'O fili Candauli et tu, o filia Marpissa, demus aliquod bonum huic misso Alexandri.' Respondens alius filius eius, Carator, dixit: 'O mater, verum, quia Alexander direxit abstrahens uxorem fratris mei de manibus inimicorum et reddidit eam illi; set uxor mea compellit me hunc occidere Antigonum pro Alexandro, quia occidit Porum, patrem eius, ut recipiat pro eo dolorem Alexander.' Candacis dixit: 'Quod nomen acquirimus, si hunc occiderimus?' Ad hec respondit Candaulis: 'Me iste salvavit et uxorem meam mihi reddidit; salvum eum adduxi usque huc salvumque restituo usque ad locum suum.' Cui Carator: 'Quid est hoc, quod dicis? Modo in isto loco moriemur ambo?' Et Candaulis: 'Ego nolo hoc; quod si tu vis, paratus sum.'

23. And she went out again, holding me by the hand, and said to her children: 'O son Candaules, and you, O daughter Marpissa, let us give some good to this envoy of Alexander.' Her other son, Carator, answering, said: 'O mother, it is true that Alexander acted, rescuing my brother’s wife from the hands of her enemies and restoring her to him; but my wife compels me to kill this Antigonus in place of Alexander, because he killed Porus, her father, so that Alexander may receive grief for him.' Candacis said: 'What name/reputation do we acquire if we kill this man?' To this Candaules replied: 'This man saved me and restored my wife to me; I have brought him safe as far as here and I will restore him safe all the way to his place.' To whom Carator: 'What is this that you say? Now in this place shall we both die?' And Candaules: 'I do not wish this; but if you wish it, I am prepared.'

Videns autem Candacis, quia volebant se occidere filii sui, angustiata est. Apprehendit me portansque secreto dixit: 'Alexander, non ostendis in hoc aliquam sapientiam, ut non occidantur pro te filii mei?' Cui Alexander: 'Dimitte me ire loqui cum eis.' At illa dimisit eum. Abiitque et dixit: 'Carator, si me occidis hic, habet Alexander rex multos missos meliores mei.

But when Candace saw that her sons wanted to kill one another, she was distressed. She seized me, and carrying me off in secret, said: ‘Alexander, will you not show some wisdom in this, so that my sons are not killed on your account?’ To her Alexander: ‘Let me go to speak with them.’ And she let him go. And he went and said: ‘Carator, if you kill me here, King Alexander has many envoys better than me.

Si vultis, ut tradam vobis ipsum inimicum vestrum, date mihi, quod postulo, et iuro vobis, quia hic in palacio vestro adduco Alexandrum.' Pacificati sunt inter se fratres et crediderunt hoc atque promiserunt ei per singulos facturos mihi dona. Vocavit me iterum Candacis regina occulte et dixit: 'Beata fuissem ego, si cotidie potuissem te habere prae oculis quasi unum ex filiis meis, ut vicissem omnes inimicos meos.' Quando autem dimiserunt me ire, fecerunt mihi dona regalia et coronam ex precioso lapide adamantino seu et broniam et stellatam clamidem.

If you wish that I hand over to you your very enemy, give me what I demand, and I swear to you that here in your palace I will bring Alexander.' The brothers were pacified among themselves and believed this, and they promised him that each one would make gifts to me. Candacis the queen called me again secretly and said: 'Blessed would I have been, if daily I had been able to have you before my eyes as one of my sons, so that I might have conquered all my enemies.' But when they let me go to depart, they bestowed upon me regal gifts and a crown of precious adamantine stone, and also a byrnie and a star-studded cloak (chlamys).

24. Movi me inde et profectus sum et abii in criptam, quam monstravit mihi Candaulis dicens, quod ibi comedissent dii. Et antequam ingrederer ipsam criptam, feci diis offerationem et ingressus sum et vidi ibi caligines et inter ipsas caligines vidi lucentes stellas et apparitiones idolorum. Vidi et quidam recumbentes lucidos habentes oculos sicut lucernas.

24. I moved myself thence and set out and went away into a crypt which Candaules showed to me, saying that the gods had eaten there. And before I entered that very crypt, I made an oblation to the gods and I entered, and I saw mists there, and among those very mists I saw shining stars and apparitions of idols. I saw also certain bright ones reclining, having eyes like lamps.

Unus autem ex illis dixit mihi: 'Ave, Alexander.' Et ego: 'Quis es tu, domine?' Et ille: 'Ego sum Sesonchosis, regnum mundi tenens et mundum subiugans, faciens omnes subiectos. Nomen autem mihi non est sicut tu habes, qui in tuo fabricaveris Alexandriam. Tamen ingredere amplius et tunc videbis.'

But one of them said to me: 'Hail, Alexander.' And I: 'Who are you, lord?' And he: 'I am Sesonchosis, holding the kingdom of the world and subjugating the world, making all subject. But as for a name, I do not have one as you do, you who have fashioned Alexandria in your own [name]. Yet enter further, and then you will see.'

Et vidi iterum aliam caliginem et quendam deum sedentem in sedio regali et dixit mihi: 'Quid est hoc?' adiungens: 'Nativitas sum ego dorum.' Ego: 'Te vidi in terra Libiae et modo huc esse videris.' Cui ego dixi: 'O Serapis, dic mihi, quantos annos adhuc victurus sum?' Et ille: 'Hanc causam, quam interrogas, oportet, ut nullus mortalium eam sciat, quia, si cognitum fuerit homini dies mortis suae, tanta tribulatio accidit ei, quasi omni die moriatur. Fabricaturus eris civitatem pergloriosam, quae exstat in toto mundo. Plurimi enim imperatores pugnaturi sunt eam, sed nullus ibi aliquid nocere poterit.

And I saw again another darkness and a certain god sitting on a regal seat, and he said to me: 'What is this?' adding: 'I am Nativity of the gods.' I: 'I saw you in the land of Libya, and just now you seem to be here.' To whom I said: 'O Serapis, tell me, how many years am I still going to live?' And he: 'This matter which you ask it is proper that no mortal know, because, if the day of his death should be known to a man, so great a tribulation befalls him as if he were dying every day. You will found a most glorious city, which will stand out in the whole world. For very many emperors will wage war against it, but none will be able to do any harm there.

ibi et fabricabitur sepulcrum tuum, ubi recondetur et corpus tuum.' Exiens inde venit ad milites suos et movit inde exercitum suum.

'there too your sepulcher will be constructed, where your body also will be laid away.' Departing thence, he came to his soldiers and from there set his army in motion.

25. Applicavit ad Amazones, dirigens eis talem epistolam: 'Rex Alexander ad Amazones gaudium. Pugnam, quam Dario fecimus, credimus, quia non est vobis incognita, et sicut pugnavimus Indiam atque alias gentes, quae resistere nobis nullomodo potuerunt. Quaproper scribimus vobis, ut persolvatis nobis datum, quia non veniemus super vos aliquod malum facere, sed bene.'

25. He made landfall at the Amazons, sending to them such a letter: 'King Alexander to the Amazons, joy. The battle which we fought against Darius we believe is not unknown to you, and just as we fought India and other peoples, who were in no way able to resist us. Wherefore we write to you, that you pay us the due, because we shall not come upon you to do any ill, but good.'

Ad haec rescript sunt haec: 'Amazones, potentissim[a]e atque fortiores omnibus militiis, Alexandro gaudium. Scripsimus et signivicavimus, ut, antequam venias in fines nostras, cogites, quomodo venias, ne forte patiaris turpitudinem. Scias, quia habitatio nosta est ultra fluvium in quadam insula, cingens eam in giro ipse fluvius; et neque initium neque finem habet et ex una parte habemus angustum introitum.

To these things these were written back: 'The Amazons, most potent and stronger than all armies, joy to Alexander. We have written and signified that, before you come into our borders, you consider how you come, lest by chance you suffer turpitude. Know that our habitation is beyond the river on a certain island, the river itself girding it in a circuit; and it has neither beginning nor end, and on one side we have a narrow entrance.

Et sumus numero habitancium feminarum ducenta quatuordecem milia, quae non sunt coinquinatae a viris. Viri nullomodo habitant inter nos, sed ultra fluvium in alia parte. ; Quod tollere a nobis nil invenies.

And we are, in the number of resident women, two hundred fourteen thousand, who are not defiled by men. Men in no way dwell among us, but beyond the river on the other side. ; You will find nothing to take away from us.

; Si vis scire conversationem nostram, talis est. Per unum quemque annum celebramus festivitatem Iovis et Ifesti; celebramus ipsas festivitates per triginta dies et sic transimus videre viros nostros et gaudent nobiscum per triginta dies. Qui vult manere in leticia cum sua uxore, tenet eam per unum annum.

; If you wish to know our way of life, it is such. Each year we celebrate the festival of Jupiter and of Hephaestus; we celebrate the festivals themselves for thirty days, and thus we cross over to see our men, and they rejoice with us for thirty days. Whoever wishes to remain in joy with his wife keeps her for one year.

Quod si mulier parturiens peperit masculum, tenet eum secum pater et post septem annos reddet eam matri suae. Quod autem pugnaturae venimus cum aliquo, sum numero decies dena milia equitantes. Ali[a]e autem custodiunt insulam nostram et obviamus inimicis nostris usque ad ipsos montes.

If a woman in childbirth bears a male, the father keeps him with himself and, after seven years, he will return him to his mother. But when we come to fight with someone, we are in number 100,000, riding on horseback. Others, however, guard our island, and we go to meet our enemies up to the mountains themselves.

Viri autem nostri insequuntur posteriora nostra. Cum autem revers[a]e fuerimus ab ipso prelio cum victoria, adorant nos viri nostri, et si quis ceciderit ex nobis, hereditant nobis ill[a]e, quae supervixerint. Unde oportet, ut stemus nos et pugnemus monstrantes victoriam contra vos.

Our men, however, pursue our rear. But when we have returned from that very battle with victory, our men adore us; and if anyone of us has fallen, those who have survived inherit our estate. Whence it behooves that we stand and fight, demonstrating victory against you.

Quod si vos viceritis nos, nullam habebitis laudem, quia feminas vicistis; cave, imperator, ne contingat tibi. Significavimus tibi consuetudinem, quam omni anno facimus. Tu autem considera et fac, quo facere debes, et scribe illud nobis, quia, si pugnare volueris, ad ipsos montes exiemus obviam tibi.'

But if you shall have defeated us, you will have no praise, because you have defeated women; beware, emperor, lest it befall you. We have signified to you the custom which we perform every year. But you, consider and do what you ought to do, and write that to us, because, if you wish to fight, we shall go out to meet you up to those very mountains.'

26. Relegit hanc epistolam Alexander et risit. Scripsit hance epistolam et misit eis: 'Tres partes huius mundi apprehendimus et victoriam contra illos fecimus; et si vobiscum non pugnamus, turpitudo est nobis. At tamen dabo vobis consilium, si vultis perire et dimittere terram vestram, ut non habitetur, sicut dixistis venite et exite obviam nobis in montibus.

26. Alexander re-read this letter and laughed. He wrote this letter and sent it to them: 'We have taken three parts of this world and have achieved victory against them; and if we do not fight with you, it is a disgrace to us. But yet I will give you counsel: if you wish to perish and to abandon your land, so that it not be inhabited, as you said, come and go out to meet us in the mountains.

Et si non vultis perire, ingredimini fluvium et sic loquamur in unum; similiter et viri vestri veniant in campum et loquantur in unum. Iuro vobis per patrem meam et per Eram et Athenam, deas nostras, quia nullum malum patiemini a nobis. Datum autem, quod vultis, date nobis.

And if you do not wish to perish, enter the river and thus let us speak as one; likewise, let your men come into the plain and speak as one. I swear to you by my father and by Hera and Athena, our goddesses, that you will suffer no evil from us. As for the gift, give to us what you wish.

Equites autem femineas, quantas vultis, mandate nobis, et per unam quamque feminam dabimus amnades quinque excepto quod eis fecerimus, et post tempus dimittemus eas venire in terram suam. Considerate et scribite nobis.' Ill[a]e enim cogitantes direxerunt mihi polletros decem et caballos blancos.;

Moreover, as for female cavalry, as many as you wish, send them to us, and for each and every woman we will give five payments, except for what we shall have done to them; and after a time we will dismiss them to go back to their own land. Consider and write to us.' They, indeed, after considering, sent to me ten colts and white horses.;

28. Et inde profectus sum ad palacium Xersen regis. Et invenimus in ipso palatio ammirabilia cubicula erantque coturnices tam magn[a]e sicut columb[a]e et loquebantur regibus linguam humanam atque dicebant illis, quantos annos viverent.

28. And from there I set out to the palace of King Xerxes. And we found in that very palace marvelous chambers, and there were quails as large as doves, and they spoke to the kings in the human tongue and told them how many years they would live.

29. vacat

29. it is blank

30. Vidi ibi et alia miracula, quae scribo Olimpiadi matri meae: Cum essem in Babilonia, antequam exissem de hoc seculo, vidi mulierem, quae genuit filium, qui erat ab umbilico et sursum ut homo, ab umbilico usque ad pedes erat bestia; similitudinem habebat canis. Cum autem peperisset haec filium mulier, cooperuit eum adduxitque eum Alexandro regi, mandans, ut loqueretur illi aliquid secretum. Ille autem erigens se a somno iussit eam venire.

30. I saw there also other miracles, which I write to Olympias, my mother: When I was in Babylon, before I went forth from this world, I saw a woman who bore a son, who from the navel upward was as a man, from the navel down to the feet was a beast; he had the likeness of a dog. But when this woman had borne the son, she covered him and brought him to King Alexander, bidding that he speak to him something secret. But he, raising himself from sleep, ordered her to come.

At illa: 'Iube exire omnes. Secretum habeo indicare tibi.' Discooperiens infantulum monstravit eum illi. Cum vidisset eum Alexander, miratus est.

But she: 'Order all to go out. I have a secret to indicate to you.' Uncovering the little infant, she showed him to him. When Alexander had seen him, he marveled.

Et iussit vocari ariolos; dicens illi: 'Dic mihi, quod signum est hoc?' Suspirans dixit: 'O rex, appropinquabit tempus tuum, ut exeas de hoc seculo.' Cui Alexander: 'Dic mihi, quomodo?' Dixit illi: 'Potentissime rex, medietas corporis, quae habet aspectum hominis, tu es; pars autem, quae versa est in bestiam, homines sunt, qui post te veniunt. Ex qua re plora homines, quia pro te factum est hoc signum.' Audiens autem Alexander tristis effectus est et dixit: 'O Iuppiter, oportuerat enim, ut dies obitus mei in pace finiretur, ut hoc, quod consideravi, perficerem; et quia sic placet tibi, recipe me tercium mortalem.'

And he ordered the soothsayers to be called; saying to one of them: 'Tell me, what sign is this?' Sighing, he said: 'O king, your time will draw near, that you go forth from this world.' To whom Alexander: 'Tell me, how?' He said to him: 'Most powerful king, the moiety of the body which has the aspect of a man is you; but the part which is turned into a beast are the men who will come after you. For which reason, lament for men, because on your account this sign has been made.' On hearing this, Alexander became sad and said: 'O Jupiter, for it would have been meet that the day of my decease be ended in peace, in order that I might accomplish this which I have contemplated; and since thus it pleases you, receive me, the third mortal.'

31a. Mater vero illius multis vicibus scripserat Alexandro de Antipatro; et angustiabatur. Consideravit Antipater facere causam et fecit, offerens illi malum nomen.

31a. But his mother had many times written to Alexander about Antipater; and she was in anguish. Antipater considered to make a case and did so, presenting to him an ill name.

Dubitavit pro hac causa Antipater ad Alexandrum venire mittensque ad maleficum fecit eum venire ad se, rogans eum, ut daret ei venenosam potionem. Quod et factum est. Talem illi potionem dedit, qui non erat vas, quod susineret fortitudinem eius.

For this cause Antipater hesitated to come to Alexander, and sending to a malefic (sorcerer) he had him come to him, asking him to give him a venomous potion. And so it was done. He gave him such a potion that there was not a vessel which could withstand its strength.

Fecit cantrellam ferream et posuit eam intus et dedit eam Cassandro, filio suo, mandavitque eum in servitium Alexandri et ut loqueretur fratri suo Iolo et ordinaret, quomodo daret venenum bibere Alexandro. Accidit atuem illo in tempore, ut percuteret Alexander Iolum in capud non habentem culpam. Ex qua re ipse iuvenis dolore coactus consensit potionare eum recepitque potionem grato animo, ut potionet mirabilem Alexandrum, qui diligebat eum.

He made a little iron vessel and put it inside, and gave it to Cassander, his son, and he commissioned him into the service of Alexander and to speak to his brother Iolus and to arrange how he might give the poison for Alexander to drink. It happened, however, at that time that Alexander struck Iolus on the head, he having no fault. From which matter the youth himself, compelled by pain, consented to poison him, and he received the potion with a grateful mind, to poison the marvelous Alexander, who loved him.

33. Alexander autem consiliavit cum amicis suis et scripsit epistolam Aristoteli continentem ita: 'Precipimus tibi, Aristotele, ut ex thesauro regali mandes nobis auri talenta mille, ut tollant illud sacerdotes Egypti, qui serviunt in templo, in quo conditurum est corpus meum. Quia et in vita mea cogitavi, quis recturus sit vos post meam mortem, custos corporis mei et gubernator vestri Ptolomeus erit.

33. Alexander, moreover, took counsel with his friends and wrote a letter to Aristotle containing thus: 'We command you, Aristotle, that from the royal treasury you order for us a thousand talents of gold, so that the priests of Egypt, who serve in the temple in which my body is to be entombed, may take it up. For even in my life I have considered who will be set to rule you after my death: the custodian of my body and your governor will be Ptolemy.

Non sit in oblivione testamentum meum, quia dico et dispono hoc: Quod si Roxani, uxor mea, genuerit ex me filium masculum, erit verster rex et inponite illi nomen, quale vobis comparuerit; quod si filiam femina genuerit, eligant sibi Macedones regem, qualem voluerint. Arideus, filius Filippi, sit princeps in Arida terra; Simeon notarius sit princeps Cappadoci[a]e et Peflagoni[a]e; Niciot[a]e sint liberi et eligant sibi seniorem, qualem voluerint; Lici[a]e et Pamfili[a]e atque Frigi[a]e sit princeps Antigonus; Cari et Casandro teneant usque ad fluvium, qui dicitur Sol; Antipater Ciliciam; Siriam magnam Pithoni; Babiloniam Seleucio(n); Fenicis et Suriam Meneagro; Egyptum Ptolomeo; detur ei uxor Cleopatra et sit princeps super omnes satrapas Babiloni[a]e et usque Bactriam.' Quando autem hoc scripsit Alexander, facta sunt tonitrua et fulgora horribilia et contremuit totus hostis.

Let my testament not be in oblivion, for I say and dispose thus: That if Roxane, my wife, shall have begotten from me a male son, he shall be your king, and impose upon him a name such as shall have appeared good to you; but if she shall have begotten a daughter (female), let the Macedonians choose for themselves a king such as they will. Arideus, the son of Philip, let him be prince in the land of Arida; Simeon the notary let him be prince of Cappadoci[a] and Peflagoni[a]; let the Niciot[a] be free and choose for themselves a senior such as they will; of Lici[a] and Pamphyl[i]a and Frigi[a] let Antigonus be prince; let the Cari and Cassander hold as far as the river which is called Sol; Antipater [shall have] Cilicia; Great Syria to Pithon; Babylon to Seleucio(n); Phoenicia and Syria to Meneagros; Egypt to Ptolemy; let wife Cleopatra be given to him, and let him be prince over all the satraps of Babiloni[a] and as far as Bactria.' But when Alexander wrote this, there were terrible thunders and lightnings, and the whole host trembled.

271. Venerunt inde ad fluvium, qui dicitur Titan; obviaverunt ibi homines terr[a]e illius ferentes ei elefantos quinque milia et armatos currus centum milia.

271. They came from there to the river which is called Titan; there the men of that land met them, bringing to him five thousand elephants and one hundred thousand armed chariots.

Aristotelis scripsit Alexandro regi ita: 'Regi Alexandro Aristotelis gaudium. Obstupesco et toto desiderio opto [invenire] laudem, quam tibi referam, testes sint mihi deus Iuppiter et deus Poseidon, quia ex precipuis et preclaris causis sis dignus. Quapropter inmensas diis referimus grates, qui tantas victorias ac talem virtutem tribuerunt tibi, et quia omnes victus es, te autem nullus vicit nec apprehendere potuit.

Aristotle wrote to King Alexander thus: 'To King Alexander, Aristotle’s joy. I am astounded and with my whole desire I wish to [find] the praise that I might render to you; let god Jupiter and god Poseidon be my witnesses, because for preeminent and splendid causes you are worthy. Wherefore we render immense thanks to the gods, who have granted to you such great victories and such virtue, and because you have conquered all, while no one has conquered you nor has been able to apprehend you.

Cum autem audissemus, quod cecidisses in maximis angustiis hiemalibus et estibus, et sicut diximus, ammirabilis est omnis operatio tua; beati principes, qui obaudierunt tibi et adiuvaverunt tibi; Scith[a]e et Ethiopes optemperaverunt tibi; tu autem, rex, equalis es diis.'

But when we had heard that you had fallen into the greatest hiemal straits and estival heats, and, as we said, admirable is your every operation; blessed are the princes who obeyed you and helped you; the Scythians and the Ethiopians obeyed you; but you, O king, are equal to the gods.'

Deinde perrexit Babiloniam. Exierent Babilonii et magno honore honoraverunt eum. Statim fecit offerationem diis.

Then he proceeded to Babylon. The Babylonians came out and with great honor honored him. Immediately he made an oblation to the gods.

27II. 1. Est scripsit epistolam matri suae: 'Olimpiadi dilect[a]e matri gaudium. Quantum fecimus a principio usque dum venissemus Asiam, significatum est tibi.

272. 1. He wrote a letter to his mother: 'To Olympias, beloved mother, greeting. What we have accomplished from the beginning up until we came to Asia has been made known to you.'

Iterum notum sit tibi, quantum fecimus inantea. A Babilonia cepi ire coadunato populo meo numero centum milia.

Again let it be known to you how much we have done previously. From Babylon I began to go forth with my assembled people, in the number of one hundred thousand.

2. Venimus ad columnas Eraclii. Invenimus columnas duas, unam auream et aliam argenteam, habentem in longitudine cubita duodecim et in latitudine cubita duo. Perforantes eas invenimus eas ex auro.

2. We came to the columns of Heraclius. We found two columns, one golden and the other silver, each having in length twelve cubits and in breadth two cubits. Boring through them, we found them to be of gold.

Penituit me, quod perforavi eas, et clausi foramen illarum et posui ibi aurum pensante solidos mille quingenti.

I repented that I had perforated them, and I closed their aperture and placed there gold weighing 1,500 solidi.

3. Movimus inde et ingressi sumus desertum; invenimus loca frigida atque obscura, ut pene non agnosceremus nos. Et exinde iteravimus septem dies et venimus ad fluvium calidum invenimusque ibi mulieres Amazonas speciosas nimis portantes [h]orrida vestimenta, tenentes argentea arma in manibus et equitantes. [A]es et ferrum non invenietur ibi.

3. We moved on from there and entered a desert; we found places frigid and dark, so that we almost did not recognize ourselves. And from there we journeyed for seven days and came to a hot river, and we found there Amazon women exceedingly beautiful, wearing [h]orrid (rough) garments, holding silver arms in their hands and riding. Bronze and iron will not be found there.

Iungentes non in venientur ibi. Iungentes nos ad ipsum fluvium minime transire potuimus, eo quod esset altitudo et latitudo illius magna valde; plenusque erat reptilibus et bestiis magnis valde.

Beasts for yoking are not found there. Coming up to the river itself, we were in no way able to cross, because its depth and breadth were very great; and it was full of reptiles and very large beasts.

4. Abinde venimus ad mare rubrum. Et erat ibi mons altus; ascendimus eum et quasi essemus in celo.

4. Thence we came to the Red Sea. And there was a high mountain; we ascended it, and were as if in heaven.

5. Cogitavi cum amicis meis, ut instruerem tale ingenium, quatenus ascenderem caelum et viderem, si est hoc caelum, quod videmus. Preparavi ingenium, ubi sederem, et apprehendi grifas et ligui eas cum catenas, et posui vectes ante eos et in summitate eorum cibaria illorum et ceperunt ascendere celum. Divina quidem virtus obumbrans eos deiecit ad terram longius ab exercitu meo iter dierum decem in loco campestri et nullam lesionem sustinui in ipsis cancellis ferreis.

5. I deliberated with my friends that I should construct such an engine, in order that I might ascend to heaven and see whether this is that heaven which we see. I prepared an engine where I might sit, and I took griffins and bound them with chains, and I set poles before them, and at their tips I placed their provisions; and they began to ascend to heaven. But the divine power, overshadowing them, cast them down to the earth far from my army—a journey of ten days—in a level place, and I sustained no injury within those iron lattices.

Tantam altitudinem ascendi, ut sicut area videbatur esse terra sub me. Mare autem ita videbatur mihi sicut draco girans ea et cum forti angustia iun[c]tus sum militibus meis. Videntes me exercitus meus acclamaverunt laudantes me.

I ascended to such an altitude that the earth beneath me seemed to be like a threshing-floor. Moreover, the sea appeared to me like a dragon circling it, and with great distress I was joined to my soldiers. My army, seeing me, acclaimed me, praising me.

6. Venit iterum in cor meum, ut mensurarem fundum maris. Feci venire astrologos et geometricos precipique illis, ut construerent mihi vasculum, in quo valerem descendere in profundum maris et perquirere ammirabiles bestias, quae ibi habitant: 'Nisi tali modo: faciamus doleum olovitreum et ligetur catenis et regant eum fortissimi milites.' Hoc audito [Alexander] precepi cito talia facere et tali modo perquisivi profundum maris. Vidi ibi diversas figuras piscium atque ex diversis coloribus; vidi ibi et alias bestias habentes imagines terrenarum besti[ar]um ambulante per fundum maris quasi quadrupedia.

6. It came again into my heart to measure the bottom of the sea. I had astrologers and geometers come, and I ordered them to construct for me a little vessel, in which I might be able to descend into the depth of the sea and search out marvelous beasts that dwell there: 'Only in such a way: let us make a glass cask and let it be bound with chains, and let the strongest soldiers steer it.' On hearing this [Alexander] I at once ordered such things to be made, and in such a manner I investigated the depth of the sea. I saw there diverse forms of fishes and of diverse colors; I saw there also other beasts having the likenesses of terrestrial beasts, walking along the bottom of the sea as if quadrupeds.

Veniebant usque ad me et fugiebant. Vidi ibi et alias ammirabiles causas, quas recitare non possum. Gaude, mi karissima mater.' ;

They came right up to me and fled. I saw there also other admirable things, which I cannot recount. Rejoice, my dearest mother.' ;

31b. Yolus, quem superius diximus, acquisivit sibi socios et confederatus est eis, ut venenum bibere daret Alexandro et moreretur. Cum autem sedisset Alexander in convivio cum principibus ac militibus suis, cepit letari atque iocundus esse ultra modum.

31b. Yolus, whom we mentioned above, acquired allies for himself and entered into confederacy with them, to give poison to drink to Alexander and that he might die. But when Alexander had sat down at the banquet with his princes and his soldiers, he began to rejoice and to be jocund beyond measure.

Yolus autem, caput tanti mali, cogitavit in fiala porrigere venenum Alexandro, exspectavit, qua hora hoc faceret. In medio autem convivio factus est [h]ilaris et cepit amplius atque amplius letari. Et dum loqueretur militibus suis, subito petiit bibere.

Yolus, however, the head of so great an evil, planned to proffer in a phial poison to Alexander, and he waited for the hour when he might do this. But in the midst of the banquet Alexander became cheerful and began to rejoice more and more. And while he was speaking to his soldiers, he suddenly asked to drink.

Yolus, infector tanti mali, porrexit ei venenum et dum bibisset, subito clamavit voce magna, quasi lanceam dedisset illi aliquis in iecore. Paululum continuit se atque sustinuit dolorem et surrexit a convivio et dixit principibus suis ac militibus: 'Rogo vos, sedete, comedite, bibite atque letamini.'

Yolus, the infector of so great an evil, handed to him the poison; and when he had drunk, he suddenly cried out with a great voice, as if someone had thrust a lance into his liver. For a little while he contained himself and endured the pain, and he rose from the banquet and said to his princes and soldiers: 'I beg you, sit, eat, drink, and be glad.'

32.1. Illi autem turbati sunt et surrexerunt a mensa et quamvis forinsecus steterunt, ut viderent finem. Alexander autem voluit vomere, quaesivit pennam, ut mitteret eam in guttur suum, ut vomeret. Yolus autem invenit pennam ac linivit eam veneno et porrexit illi et misit in guttur suum.

32.1. But they were troubled and rose from the table, and nevertheless they stood outside to see the end. But Alexander wanted to vomit; he looked for a feather, to put it into his throat so that he might vomit. But Yolus found a feather and smeared it with poison and proffered it to him, and he put it into his throat.

Ex qua re coepit eum urgere venenum amplius atque amplius. Cum autem in tali dolore vexaretur Alexander, totam noctem duxit insomnem. Alia vero die, cum intellexisset Alexander dolorem suum et vidisset se positum esse in malo, qui etiam et lingua eius arescebat, fecit venire omnes milites suos et cepit monere eos, ut pacifice et bene inter se viverent.

From this matter the poison began to press him more and more. And while Alexander was tormented with such pain, he passed the whole night sleepless. But on the next day, when Alexander had understood his own pain and had seen that he was placed in a bad condition, and even his tongue was drying up, he had all his soldiers come and began to admonish them to live peacefully and well with one another.

Cassander vero pergebat per homines ipsos, cum quibus coniurationem fecerat pro interitu Alexandri, confortans eos ac dicens: 'Scitote, quia male habet Alexander.' Et exspectabant adventum Yoli, ut intellegerent mortem Alexandri.

Cassander, for his part, kept going through those very men with whom he had made a conspiracy for the destruction of Alexander, strengthening them and saying: 'Know that Alexander is ill.' And they were awaiting the arrival of Yolus, so that they might understand the death of Alexander.

2. Facta vero [h]ora noctis precepit omnibus exire de cubiculo suo, pariter et Roxani, uxorem suam. Cum autem exissent omnes, precepit cuidam familiari suo, ut aperiret regiam, quae erat super descensum fluvii Eufraten, et nemo stetit ibi. Erexit se media nocte de stratu suo et extinxit lucernam et, quia non valebat erectus ire, manibus pedibusque per terram cepit pergere ad ipsum fluvium, ut dimergeretur in eo et tolleret eum reuma ipsius fluvii.

2. But when the [h]our of the night came, he ordered everyone to go out from his bedchamber, and likewise Roxana, his wife. But when all had gone out, he ordered a certain familiar of his to open the palace entrance which was above the descent to the River Euphrates, and no one stood there. In the middle of the night he raised himself from his couch and extinguished the lamp; and, because he was not able to go upright, with hands and feet along the ground he began to make his way to that very river, so that he might sink himself in it and the current of that river might carry him off.

Abiens autem prope fluvium volvens caput suum vidit Roxani uxorem suam sequentem se cursu validissimo. Tunc enim illa vigilabat et vidit eum, quando exivit. Adproximans illi eiecit se super eum amplexans atque dicens: 'Heu me miseram, dimittis me, Alexander, et vadis temed ipsum occidere.' Cui ille: 'O Roxani, rogo te, ut non sciat aliquis finem meum, quamvis non fuisses digna gaudere mecum.' Quamvis reduxit eum ad lectum suum dicens illi: 'Si finis tua venit, ordina primum de nobis.'

But as he was going near the river, turning his head he saw Roxana, his wife, following him at a most vigorous run. For just then she was awake and saw him when he exited. Approaching him, she threw herself upon him, embracing and saying: 'Alas, wretched me, you abandon me, Alexander, and you are going to kill your very self.' To her he: 'O Roxana, I beg you, that no one may know my end, although you had not been worthy to rejoice with me.' Nevertheless she led him back to his bed, saying to him: 'If your end has come, arrange first for us.'

3. Statim fecit venire notarium et precepit scribere testamentum. Tunc erat ibi quidam homo Perdica nomine; vidit, quia moreretur Alexander. Cogitavit in corde suo, quod Ptolomeo dimitteret regnum, tradens illi in coniugium Olimpiadem matrem suam, quae vidua est.

3. At once he had a notary come and ordered a testament to be written. Then there was there a certain man named Perdiccas; he saw that Alexander was dying. He thought in his heart that Alexander would bequeath the kingdom to Ptolemy, giving to him in marriage Olympias, his mother, who is a widow.

Abiit et dixit ei: 'Si facturus fueris rex in regno Alexandri, quid mihi bene facturus es?' At ille dixit: 'Facio,' dans illi sacramentum.

He departed and said to him: 'If you are going to be king in the kingdom of Alexander, what good will you do for me?' But he said: 'I will do it,' giving him an oath.

4. Diffamatum est per cunctum populum mors Alexandri. Presentaliter erexerunt se cuncti Macedones et ceperunt vociferari dicentes: 'Scitote, quia omnes occidemus, si non monstratis nobis seniorem nostrum.' Ille autem in stratu suo, in quo iacebat, audivit turbationem eorum, interrogavit, quid hoc esset. Illi autem, qui erant cum eo, dixerunt: 'Congregati omnes Macedones cum armis volunt nos occidere dicentes: Ostendite nobis seniorem nostrum.' Quid fecit Alexander?

4. The death of Alexander was disseminated through the whole populace. Immediately all the Macedonians raised themselves up and began to vociferate, saying: 'Know that we will kill you all, if you do not show us our lord.' But he, on his pallet on which he was lying, heard their turmoil and asked what this was. And those who were with him said: 'All the Macedonians, gathered with arms, want to kill us, saying: Show us our lord.' What did Alexander do?

Precepit militibus suis, ut tollerent eum cum ipso lecto et ponerent eum in eminentiore et spatioso loco, ut posset ab omnibus videri. Et tunc fecit introire omnes ante se cum uno vestimento. Introierunt per unam partem et exierunt per aliam, unusquisque osculans eum, suspirans ille fortiter.

He ordered his soldiers to lift him up with the very bed and set him in a more eminent and spacious place, so that he could be seen by all. And then he had them all enter before him in a single garment. They entered by one side and went out by another, each one kissing him, while he sighed deeply.

Fletus ingens ac ploratus magnus erat in eo loco quasi tonitruus. Credo interim, quia non soli homines ploraverunt ibi, sed etiam pro tam magno rege sol tristatus est. Quidam Macedonas, Pelucos nomine, manens in simplicitate sua stans prope lectum Alexandri dixit illi: 'Alexander, Filippus, pater vester, bene gubernavit regnum, quod tenuit; sed bonitates tuas quis estimare poterit?' Tunc erexit se Alexander et sedit.

There was immense weeping and great wailing in that place like thunder. I believe, meanwhile, that not only men wept there, but even the sun, for so great a king, was saddened. A certain Macedonian, Pelucus by name, remaining in his simplicity, standing near Alexander’s bed, said to him: ‘Alexander, Philip, your father, well governed the kingdom which he held; but who will be able to estimate your goodnesses?’ Then Alexander raised himself and sat.

Percuciens pectus suum cepit flere amariter et voce magna lingua Macedonica coepit dicere: 'Heu me, Alexander moritur et Macedonia minuetur.' Tunc Macedones, qui astabant: 'Melius fuerat nobis omnibus mori tecum, quia post mortem tuam regnum Macedoniae non stabit. V[a]e nobis, ubi nos dimittis.' Alexander sepius suspirans et plorans dixit: 'O Macedones, nomen vestrum amodo super barbaros non dominabitur.'

Beating his breast, he began to weep bitterly, and with a great voice in the Macedonian tongue he began to say: 'Alas for me, Alexander is dying and Macedonia will be diminished.' Then the Macedonians who were standing by: 'It would have been better for all of us to die with you, because after your death the kingdom of Macedonia will not stand. Alas for us, where are you leaving us?' Alexander, often sighing and weeping, said: 'O Macedonians, your name henceforth will not dominate over the barbarians.'

34. Tunc direxit Athena[m] in templum Apollinis peplon, id est trabe[a]m auream, et auream sedem. Similiter et omnibus templis direxit. Iussit afferri mel de nisiotia terra et praecepit, ut post mortem illius (ut) ex eo ungueretur corpus eius, et murram terrae Trocloditicae.

34. Then he sent to Athena in the temple of Apollo a peplos, that is, a golden trabea, and a golden seat. Likewise he sent to all the temples. He ordered honey to be brought from the Nesiotic land and commanded that after his death his body be anointed from it, and myrrh from the Troglodytic land.

Haec duae causae incorrupta servant corpora mortuorum. Cum autem mortuus fuisset, posuerunt eum in curru suo portantes eum a Babilonia usque ad Alexandriam. Tunc Ptolomeus pergebat ante currum suum clara voce plorando: 'O fortissime Alexander, non occidisti tantos in vita tua, quantos occidis post mortem tuam.'

These two causes keep the bodies of the dead incorrupt. But when he had died, they placed him in his own chariot, carrying him from Babylon all the way to Alexandria. Then Ptolemy was proceeding before his chariot, lamenting in a loud voice: 'O most valiant Alexander, you did not slay so many in your life as you slay after your death.'

35. Fuerunt anni vit[a]e illius triginta tres ac decem et octo annis cepit committere bellum. Septem itaque annos pugnavit acriter, octo annos quievit et in [h]ilaritate et iocunditate vixit subiugans sibi gentes barbarorum viginti septem. Fabricavit civitates duodecim, quae usque [h]actenus habitantur.

35. The years of his life were thirty-three, and at eighteen years he began to engage in war. For seven years, then, he fought fiercely; for eight years he rested and lived in hilarity and jocundity, subjugating to himself twenty-seven nations of barbarians. He founded twelve cities, which up to the present are inhabited.

Natus est mense Tinbia primus, obiit mense Farmuthi ingrediente die quarta. Milites itaque sui habuerunt post mortem eius maximam tristitiam. Talis interim fuit vita magni Alexandri regis.

He was born in the month Tinbia, on the first day; he died in the month Farmuthi, at its beginning, on the fourth day. His soldiers therefore had, after his death, the greatest grief. Such, meanwhile, was the life of great King Alexander.

Civitates itaque, quas fabricavit, haec sunt: Prima autem Alexandria, quae dicitur Iprosoritas, secunda Alexandria, quae dicitur Yepiporum, tercia Alexandria, quae dicitur Yepibucefalon, quarta Alexandria, quae dicitur Ycratisti, quinta Alexandria, quae dicitur Yaranicon, sexta Alexandria, quae dicitur Scithia, septima Alexandria, quae dicitur sub fluvio Tigris, octava Alexandria, quae dicitur Babilonia, nona Alexandria, quae dicitur apud Troadam, decima Alexandria, quae dicitur Masateugas, undecima Alexandria, quae dicitur Iprosxanthon, duodecima Alexandria, quae dicitur Egyptus.

Therefore the cities which he built are these: The first Alexandria, which is called Iprosoritas, the second Alexandria, which is called Yepiporum, the third Alexandria, which is called Yepibucefalon, the fourth Alexandria, which is called Ycratisti, the fifth Alexandria, which is called Yaranicon, the sixth Alexandria, which is called Scythia, the seventh Alexandria, which is said to be by the river Tigris, the eighth Alexandria, which is called Babylonia, the ninth Alexandria, which is said to be at the Troad, the tenth Alexandria, which is called Masateugas, the eleventh Alexandria, which is called Iprosxanthon, the twelfth Alexandria, which is called Egypt.