PHilip of Macedonie whiche by subduynge of Grece , Amyntas king of Macedon . dyd first bryng his countrey in reputation , was the sonne of Amintas , a man endued with wisdome , hardines , & all other vertues of a noble capitaine . Thesame Amintas had by Euridice his wife thre sonnes , Alexander , Perdicas , and Philip , who was the father of great , Alexander : with a doughter also called Euriones . Euridice . The Quene Euridice being in amoures with one that had maried her doughter , conspired the death of the Kyng her husband , to th intent to haue maried with her sonne in lawe , and to make him king , whiche thing she had brought to effect , had not the treason and whordom of the mother , ben opened by the doughter in tyme . Alex● the 〈…〉 A● After the death of Amyntas Alexander the eldest sonne enioyed his fathers kyngdome whiche in the beginning of his raigne was so assailed on all sides , that he was driuen of force to purchase peace of Thillyrians with money by geuing his brother Philip in hostage . And afterwardes by thesame pledge made a like peace with the Thebans , whiche was th occasion that Philip dyd atteine to suche excellency of knowledge and wisdome , for by reason that he was committed to the custodie of Epimanundas , Epymanundas . beyng both a valiant capteyn and an excellent philosopher , he was brought vp in the trade of honest disciplines , and Princely maners , wherin he greatly proffited vnder a philosopher of Pythagoras schole , whom Epymanundas keapt in his house for th enstruccion of his sonne . In the meane season Alexander was slaine by the meanes of Euridice his mother , whose former treason kyng Amyntas her husband had pardoned in respecte of the chyldren had betwene them , little thinkyng that she would afterwardes haue bene their distruccion . For when Alexander was dead , she caused in like maner her other sonne Perdicas to be slayne : Perdicas . whiche Perdicas lefte behinde hym one sonne being a young babe . About thesame tyme Philip the yongest brother being by good happe escaped out of prison retorned into Macedon , Philip , and not taking vpon hym the name of Kyng , remayned a great while no otherwise but as Gouernour or tutor to his yong neuewe . Neuertheles afterwardes by occasion of sundry myschefes growing in the state , thesame being suche as might not well hang till the yong kyng should come to his age , for that he apered to be a man of singuler actiuitie , and of no lesse skylle in feates of warre than in knowledge of philosophie , was compelled by the people to take vpon hym the kingdom̄ of Macedon , whiche as than stode in hard plight , and great daunger of ruyne . This was done .400 . yeare ●fter the building of Rome and the .105 . Olympiade . In the beginning of his raigne he was combred with ●●finite troubles , for all the contries nere about ( as it were by a generall conspiracie ) moued warre against him , and at one tyme sondrie nacions swarmyd together out of sondrie partes to ouerronne his kyngdom . Wherfore considering that it stode hym vpon to worke warely ( being not able to mache them all at ones ) pacyfied some with fayre promyses , other with money ▪ and the weakest he withstode with force . whereby he bothe made his enemies afrayed , and confirmed the hertes of his people , whiche he found discouraged , and in great doubte . These thinges he wrought with great sleight and fynenes of wytte , in suche sorte that he mynysshed not any parte of his honour , estate , or reputacion , determinyng neuerthelesse as tyme should serue to deale with euery one aparte . Philips first warre was with the Atheniene . His first warre was with the Atheniens whome he ouercame by sleyght and policie . And where it laye in his power to haue put them all to the sworde , he let them all at libertie without raunsome . By whiche poinct of elemencie ( though it was but conterfaite , for it was done for feare of a greater warre at hand ) yet it gat hym great good will and estimacion vniuersally . After that he subdued the Peons , Peons· Illyrians . and from thence turned his power against the Illyrians , of whome he slewe many thousandes , and wanne the noble Cytie of Larissa . That done he moued warre against the Tessalians , Tessalians . not for any desire of their goodes , or spoyle of their Countrey , but of a policie to adde to his strength the force of their horsmen , whiche at those dayes were counted the chiefe of the worlde , whiche his purpose he brought to passe , for beyng sodeinly assailed , they were sone brought to subieccion . So Philip ioyned the force of their horsemen vnto his footemen , whereby he made his powre inuincible . After all these thinges beyng happely brought to passe , he toke to wyfe Olympias one of the daughters of Neoptolenius Kyng of the Molossons , Olimpias Philippes wyfe . whiche mariage was concluded by the meanes of Arisba , Arisba . who hauing the gouernement of Olympias was become king by the mariage of her other sister called Troada . Troada This mariage whiche he thought to haue made for his suertie turned afterwardes to his subuercion . For thynking to haue made him self strong by th affinitie of Philip , he was at length by hym depryued of the hole kyngdome , ending his life myserably in exile : Not long after this mariage Kyng Philip dreamed that he sawe his wiues wombe wonderfully swollen , Philippes dreame . and to his seming a liuely Image of a lion thereuppon , by whiche dreame the deuyners & dreame readers , did enterprete that his wyfe was conceiued of a chylde that should be of a lions hert and courage : with whiche interpretacion he was mitch pleased . Methron . Afterwardes at th assault of a citie called Methron by shot of an arrowe he loste his right eie . Wherof though the displeasure was great , yet was he content vpon their submission , to take them to mercy , He wanne also the cytie of Pagus and annexed the same vnto his kingdome : Pagus . He inuaded the lande of the Triballes , Tryballes . and at one instant conquered it with all the contreis thereaboute . Thus hauyng made his kyngdome strong by subduing his neighbours , at his retournyng home his wyfe Olympias was deliuered of his sonne Alexander , The byrthe of Alexand. the .8 . daye of Aprill : Of these good fortunes the kyng reioysed no lesse than reason was , hauyng stablyshed his contrey at home , subdued his enemies abrode ▪ and gotten an heire to succede in his kyngdome . He coulde haue desired no more of God , if the mynde of man could euer be satisfied , whiche the more it hath the more it coueteth : And as the dominion encreaseth , so doth also the desire to haue more . Which was wel seen in Philip that still did compasse howe to growe great , by taking from his neighbours , and laye alwayes like a spie , awayting tyme and occasion howe to catche from euerie man , whereunto he had occasion mynistred by the Cyties of Greace , for whiles one did couet to subdue an other , and through ambition were at strife who should be chief , by one and one , at laste he brought all to subiection , firste persuadyng the smaler states to moue warre agaynste the greater , and to serue his purpose contcyued the wayes to set them all together by the eares , but at lenght when his practizes were perceyued , dyuers Cyties fearyng his encrease , confeadered agaynste hym , as their commen ennemye , and namely the Thebans . Neuertheles in a necessitie when they were dryuen to wage men of warre , they chose hym to be there generall Capitaine agaynste the Lacedemonians , and the Phoceans , Philip chosen Captain agaynst the Phoceans and the Lacedemonians whiche had spoyled the temple of Apollo . This warre he honorablie acheued , so that by pounysshement of their sacryledge , he gat hym self great honour in all those places . But in th ende espyeng either of those Countreis to be brought lowe with warre , he founde the meanes to subdue both the one and the other compellyng as well the ouercommers , as the ouercomme to be his Tributaries and subiectes . Then made he a voyage into Cappadoce , where killyng , and takyng all the Princes there aboutes prisoners , reducede the hole prouince to the subiection of Macedon . He conquered Olinthus , and within a while put his fote in Thrace . For where the two Kynges of that countrey were at variaunce aboute the limites of ther kyngdomes , and choyse hym to be Arbitrer , he gladly toke it vpon hym , but at the daye a●oynted for the Iugement , he came not thither like a Iudge in a Counsell , but like a warrier with an army , and to parte the strife expulsid both the partes from their kyngdomes . By this time yong Alexander was of twelue yeares of age , The towardnes of Alexander . and began to take great delyght in the feates of warre , shewyng moste manifeste signes ●f noble harte and Princely courage . He was very swifte of foote , and one daie at a solempne game of ronnyng called Olimpiacum , beyng demaunded by some of his Companions whether he would ronne a rase with them : gladly ( quod he ) If I had kynges sonnes to ronne withall . Another tyme when certayne Embassadours of the Percians came into Macedon . Alexander whiche in his fathers absence toke vpon hym their entertaynement and deuisyng with them of diuers thinges , and in all his communication there neuer passed from him one chyldishe or vaine worde , but either he enquired the state of their Countrey , the maners of the people , the distance of the waies , the powre of their kyng , or the order of his warres and suche other like . So that the Embassadours hauing meruaill the rat , esteamed the prouffe of the father to be muche lesse than the towardnes of the sonne , and that his courage was muche more then was to be loked for in one of his yeres . As often as tidinges came that the kyng his father had wonne any stronge or ryche Towne , or obteyned any notable victory . He neuer seamed greatly ioyfull , but would saye to his playe fellowes , my father doth so many great actes , that he will leaue no occasion of any notable thing for vs to do together . Suche were his wordes , suche was his talke : whereby it was easy to coniecture what a man he would after proue in age , whiche so began in youth . His delight was not set in any kynde of pleasure , or gredines of gayne , but in the only exercise of vertue , and desire of honoure . And the more aucthoritie that he receiued of his father , the lesse he would seame to beare . And although by the great encrease of his fathers dominion , it semed that he should haue the lesse occasion to vse the warres yet he did not set his delight in vayne pleasure , or heapyng vp of treasure , but sought all the meanes he could to vse mercial feates , and exercises of warre , coueting suche a kingdome , wherein for his vertue and proues he might purchase fame and immortalitie , whiche hope neuer deceiued Alexander nor any other , when it happeneth in a man of vertue and noble hert , that hath wille or occasion to put the same in vre . Alexander was committed to the gouernementes of Aristotle . The charge and gouernaunce of this young Prince was committed to sondrie excellent Maisters and Gouernours , but chiefly to the greate Philosopher Aristotle , whose vertue , learnyng , and knowledge , Kynge Philip so muche estemed , that he would often saye : he toke no greater comforte in the byrthe of his sonne , then in that he was prouided of suche a Maister for hym as Aristotle , vnder whose tuicion he remayned ten yeares . Many thynges there chaunsed besydes , whereby it was coniectured that Alexander should proue a man of greate valoure . The oracle at Delphos For when his father sent to Delphos to receyue aunswere of the goddes who should be his successour , the Oracle was geuen that suche one should not only succede hym , but also be Lorde of the worlde . whom Buchephalus would suffre to sytte vppon hys back . This Bucephalus was a passyng fayre horse , Bucephalus fyerse and full of courage , whiche Philip had brought of a Tessalien for thirtene talentes , and because of his fiersenes kept hym within a brake of Iron barres , yet for all that he remayned so fell & wode that none durste come nexe to dresse hym . Whereof the kyng was so wery that he would faine haue bene ridde of the horse . It fortuned that Alexander came one day with his father vnto the stable . What a horse ( qd he ) is marred here for lack of good handling , & with that came more nere , and without any great difficulty gat vpon his back , & vsed both the spurre & the rodde to th uttermost , both running & mannaging him vp & down , whiche the horse abide very well . And hauing ridden his fil brought back the horse againe . As he alighted the kyng for ioye embrased and kissed hym , and with teares in his eyes sayde : O sonne seke some other kingdome mete for thy harte . for Macedon cannot suffise . So that euen then the foreseing father did full well perceiue all his possession farre insufficient for his sonnes harte . After this Kyng Philip determined to make warre againste all Greace . for the maintenaunce whereof he thought it great auauntage , Byzancium if he myght firste wynne Byzancium a famous Citie on the see coaste , wherfore committing the charge & gouernement of his Realme to his sonne being then .15 . yeares olde , he laide siege to the Towne whiche made him great resistaunce . When he had consumed all his riches and treasure about the siege , he was driuen to so narrowe shifte , that to furnishe hym selfe of money , he became a Pyrat and roued on the sea , where he toke .170 . shippes all the spoile wherof he departed amonges his souldiers . And lette his hole Armye should be detayned about the wynnyng of that towne he sorted out the moste chosen bandes of all his Souldiers , and went into Gersonesus , where he toke and put to sack manye notable Townes . Because his sonne Alexander was then about .18 . yeares olde and had shewed euident proufe of his vertue and manhod in all his attemptes : His father sent for hym thither to th entent he might in his warres learne and exercise all feates belongyng to a Souldier , & with hym made a voyage into Scythia , vpon no other quarell but to spoyle the Countrey . Thus vsing the practise of Merchauntes , with the gayne of one warre bare out the charges of an other . After he had brought the contrey in subiection , The bot o● Philip been S●● oute o● Scythi● . because no riches of gold nor siluer was to be gotten there , he caried thens .20 . thousand of men , women and children , besides a great multitude of Cattaile , with .20 . thousand choyse mares to make a race in Macedon . In his retourne from thence he was encountred with the Triballes , whiche denied him passage , except they myght haue part of his boutie , whereuppon debating of the matter , from wordes they fell to fyghting , Philip was wounded by the Tribals whereat Kynge Philip was so wounded in his thighe , that the violence of the stroke ranne through the body of his horse , whereof all men iudgyng hym to be slayne , the botie was lost therby . Assone as he was recouered of his hurte , his long dissembled grudge against the Athenians braste out so farre fourth , that he made open warre vpon them . By reason whereof the Thebanes seing the fyer so nere at hande , The Thebans and other Cities conspired against Philip . gaue succours to their neighbours , fearing leste if the Athenians were ouercome , th end of the warres should tourne vpon them . Wherefore the Cyties that a little before were mortall ennemies one to another , confederated togithers in one leage , and sent their Embassadours through all Grece , persuading it to be moste mete with a common ayde to withstande a common enemy . Some considering the peril to be vniuersall stake to the Athenians . And some fearing Philips power encreasyng , and the other decayeng toke parte with hym . In this warre Alexander was made Capitayne of one of the battailles , wherein his noble hert and courage did well apeare , specially when it came to the stroke of the fight , for there he acquited him self so valiauntly that he semed not inferiour vnto his father , nor to any man els , but by moste iuste desert got the honour of the victory . Albeit he was defrauded thereof by the enuie & sleight of his father , as he him self complayned afterwardes . This battaile was fought at Cherony , The battail at Cherony . wherin though the Atheniens were the greater nombre , yet were they ouercome by the Macedones , beyng the fewer , but yet experte Souldiers by reason of their long and continuall practise in warres : neuerthelesse the Athenians as men not vnmyndful of their former honoure spent their liues valiauntly . That day made an ende of al the Grekes glory , aswell of their large rule & gouernaunce , as also of their moste auncient fredome and libertie : whiche beyng hardly wonne , and long tyme kept , was thus lost in a moment . For these and many other experimentes of the valour and proues in yong Alexander , although the kyng his father did alwayes beare hym singuler affection and fauour , yet neuertheles by certayn occasions ensuyng it was vnhappely broken . For Philip beyng maried to Olimpias mother of Alexander ( as is sayed before ) toke to wyfe besides her , The dissension betwixt Philip and Alexander . Cleopatra . one Cleopatra , whereupon fell great discorde and vnkindnes betwene the father and the sonne . The occasion was geuen by one Attalus vncle of Cleopatra , who beyng at the new mariage , exhorted the multitude to make prayers to the Goddes to send betwene the Kyng and his nece a laufull heire to succede in the kyngdome of Macedon . Whereat Alexander beyng moued : Thou naughty villaine ( qd he ) doest thou counte me a bastarde ? And with that worde flange the Cuppe at his head . The Kyng hearyng this , rose vp , and with his swoord drawen , ran at his sonne , who by swaruyng with his body , auoided the stroke , so that it did no harme . Wherupon Alexander with many stowte and dispiteful wordes departed from his father , and went with his mother into Epirus . Epirus . Neuertheles sone after , by the meane of one Demoratus a Corinthian , Demoratus who perswaded the kyng that this discorde was nothyng for his honoure , Alexander was sent for agayne , and muche labour and greate meanes was made before they could be well reconciled . Wherefore to confirme this atonement there was a mariage made betwene Alexander the brother of Olympiades ( whome Philip by the expulsion of Arisba had made Kynge of Epirus ) and Cleopatra the newe Quenes doughter . The triumphe of that daye was notable accordyng to the state and magnificence of suche two Princes , the one bestowing his doughter , and the other marieng a wyfe . There were set furth sondry notable playes and deuises plesaunt to beholde . And as Kyng Philip betwene the two Alexanders , the one his natural sonne , and the other his sonne in lawe , was passyng through the preasse without any guarde : The death of Philip. One Pansanias a young man of the nobilitie of Macedon , when no man suspected any suche thing , sodainly slewe him starck dead , making that day whiche was apoincted to Ioye and triumphe , lamentable and dolorous by the death of suche a prince . Pansanias . This Pansanias being a boie was enforced by Attalus to the vnnatural vse of his body , whiche not content to do so himself , at an other open banket caused diuers of his familiars to abuse him likewyse , Attalus . with whiche shame and villany the young man beyng sore greued ( as reason would ) complayned to the kyng , whome although the dishonestie of the matter moued muche , yet for the loue he bare to Attalus , and for the respect of his seruice forbare to vse any reformacion in the matter . This Attalus was very nere vnto the kynge and in speciall fauoure , by reason he was kynsman vnto the Quene Cleopatra whom Philip had laste maried : He was also elected generall Capytayne of the Kynges Armye prepared to passe into Asia , as one that was bothe valiaunt of hys persone , and no lesse politique in the feates of warre vpon these respectes the Kynge endeuoured by all the meanes he coulde to pacefie Pansanias ( beyng kyndled with moste iuste cause of grief ) aswell by gyuing him great giftes and promocions , as placing hym honourably amongest those Ientlemen that were for the guarde of his persone . But all this could not appease the iust rage of his Ire , whiche wrought so in hym , that he determined to be reuenged , not only vpon Attalus that dyd the villony , but also vpon the Kynge that would not minister iustice . Whiche determinacion he put in effect , as is sayd before . Many thynges myght be sayd more of the doynges and sayenges of this Philip , but one thyng aboue an other is to be noted , that although for the more parte he was alwayes occupied in the tourmoyle of the warres , and other like busines , yet had he euer suche affeccion to the studies of humanitie and good learnyng , that he both did and spake many thynges worthy memory , whiche were both witty and plesaunt . He lyued seuen and fourty yeares , and reigned .xxv. yeares beyng the .xxiii. kynge of the Macedons , as they reigned in ordre .

WHen Philip was dead , Alexander toke vpon hym as king the .20 . yere of his age . his sonne whiche for the greatnes of his actes was afterwardes called the great Alexander toke vpon him the kyngdome the .4.26 . yeare after the buylding of Rome , being of the age of .20 . yeares . His state stode at that tyme subiect to muche enuie , hatred , and hasard from all partes . For the nacions and prouinces borderyng vpon hym could not wel beare their present bondage , and euery one of them sought howe to recouer agayne their auncient dominion and enheritaunce . The first thyng he attempted after he was kyng was the greuous execution he dyd vpon as manye as hadde conspiryd his fathers death whyche done , he celebrated his funeralles , with great pompe . Concernyng his estate he sone establysshed it , and that muche better than any man could haue imagyned , in one beyng of so yong and tendre yeares , for beyng of some had in contempt , and of some suspected to be cruell , towardes the one he bare hym self so stoutely , that he toke from them all contempt , and to the other so gentylly , that their ymagened feare of his cruell disposition was cleane taken away , he graunted vnto the Macedons fredom and priuiledge from all exaccion and bondage , sauing from the seruice of warre , by whiche act he got so great fauour and loue amonges his people that all affirmed by one consent , howe the persone of their Kynge was chaunged and not his vertue , his name was altered , but not his good gouernement . In the beginning of his raigne rebellion was made against hym on all sydes , he by and by with an incredible stowtenes and constancy of mynde stayed all their tumultes , which thyng pacified and set in ordre , he went to Corinthe in Peloponese , Corinthe . where callyng a generall Counsell of all the states of Grece , Alexander elected Capitain generall against the Percians he was elected their generall Capitain against the Percians , whiche before tyme had afflicted Grece with many plagues , and at that present possessed the greatest Empire in the world , his father had purposed that warre before , but the preuencion of death was the cause he brought not his purpose to passe . Whiles he was in preparacion of this enterprise , he was enfourmed howe the Atheniens , the Thebanes , and Lacedemonians were reuolted from hym , and confederate with the Percians , and all by meanes of an Oratour called Demosthenes , Demosthenes . whiche was corrupted by them with a great somme of money . For the reformacion whereof Alexander so sodeynly had prepared an Army , wherewith he came vpon them , that they could scarsely beleue they sawe hym present , of whose commyng they had not herde before . In his way he practysed wyth the Tessalians , and vsed to them suche gentle wordes and apte persuasions , by puttyng them in remembraunce of his fathers benefites , and of the auncient kynrede betwene them by the discent from Hercules , that he brought them to the pointe , that by an vnyuersall decre of the hole Countrey , he was created their Gouernour . So great was the celeritie that this young man vsed , and his diligence so effectuall in all his doynges , that he brought all suche in feare of hym , as before turned from hym , and regarded hym litle . As the Atheniens were the firste that fayled , so they firste of all repented , and extolled with prayses Alexanders chyldhode , whyche before they had despysed , aboue the vertue of the auncient conquerours . They also sent Embassadours to require of hym peace , whome he sore rebuked when they came to his presence , but yet was content at length to remytte their offence . And although Demosthenes was chosen one of the Embassadours , yet he came not to his Prince , but from Cythron retourned agayne to Athens , whiche his doyng was ether for feare that he had so often ●ayled agaynst Philip , and stoored the Atheniens against hym , or els to take away the suspicion of hym selfe from the Kynge of Percie , of whome it was sayd that he had receyued a great somme of gold to stand agaynste the Macedons . The same thyng was layed agaynste hym by Aesthines in an Oracion , where he saieth : Aesthynes presently the Kynges gold doth beare his charges , but that can not laste hym long , seyng no ryches can suffise his prodigall liuyng . When Alexander had pacified those sturnes that were begonne in Grece , before he would passe his Army into Asia , he made a iourney agaynst the Peones , the Triballes , and Thillicians , because he vnderstode they were conspityng togethers . And for that they bordred vppon hys Countrey : and were woute to inuade thesame vpon euery occasion , thought to set stay amonges them before he would remoue hys power so farre of . Amphipolis From the Cytie of Amphipolis therefore he set forewardes agaynste the Tracians , whiche at that tyme were not vnder the rule or lawe of any man . And in ten daies came to the mount Hemus , Mount Hemus . in the toppe wherof he found them encamped with a great power to resist his passage . In steade of trenches they had impaled them selfes with their cariages crosse the streightes purposyng ther to let his iourney . And if they should be inuaded by any other waye then by the strayghtes ▪ they dyd determyne to roulle the Cariages downe the hyll vpon the Macedones , to breake the array of their battailes , whiche deuise in dede they put in execution . But the Souldiers had receyued before instruccions by Alexander , that as occasion should serue , parte should open their arraye to lette the Cartes and Wheales passe through them , and that other should fall flat vpon the grounde , and by coueryng their bodies with their Targattes auoyde the daunger . They vsed the matter accordyng to their instruccions , and when the Cartes were passed by , they with a courage and crye mounted vp agaynst their enemies , and in a moment put them to flyght : When Alexander was passed the Mountayne he entred into the Contrey of the Triballes as farre as the ryuer of Ligens . Syrmus kyng of the Trybals . When Syrmus Kynge of that lande vnderstode of his comyng he sent his wyfe and hys chyldren with suche of hys people , as were not mere for the warres into an Iland called Pencascytuate within the Riuer of Danubye . Penca . Into whiche lande the Thracians that bordered with the Triballes were fledde also . It was not long after that Syrmus hym selfe fledde thither lykewyse . The rest of the Tryballes that were not with the Kynge withdrewe into an other Ilande , where they kepte them selfes agaynste Alexander . But he by polecye founde the meanes to drawe them out of theree strength , whereby he slewe of them the nombre of thre thousande , and the reste fledde awaye , for of prysoners there were fewe taken . After this battayles he marched towardes the Ryuer of Danubye , to that Ilande where the Tracians and the other Tryballes were fledde . They made notable resistans againste him , which they might the better do , by reason that Alexander wanted boates , & the bankes of the Iland were so highe & stepe , that they could not be mounted vpon , but with great difficulty the streame besides ronnyng meruelously swifte , because that the Ilande made yt narowe ▪ when Alexander perceyued the impossibility to assaile them , he withdrewe to another place , where gettyng a fewe boates passed the ryuer in the night to the nomber of . M. ccccc . horsemen & 4000 fotemen , wyth whiche company he set vpon a people called Getes , Getes . that stode redye in bataile on the further side , of purpose to stoppe the Macedones their passage with .4000 . horsemen & .x. M. fotemen . By which sodeyne comyng ouer , the Getes being afraid did not abyde the furste onset . it seamed to them a matter of wonderful aduenture . for Alexander in one nyght wythout a bridge , Danuby . to passe his power ouer the brodest and depest ryuer of al Europe . this matter stroke such fear in them that they fledde into the woddes and deserte places . leuing their cytie desolate which was taken by Alexander and ouerthrone . Syrmus Kyng of the Triballes , the Germains , and the other Inhabiters of Danubie , sent Embassadours thether vnto Alexander to enter with him in frendshyppe , and amitie . And he condiscending to their requestes , enquired of the Germaines what thing it was in the world that they doubted most , thinkinge in deade that the terrour of his name had bene the most feareful thing vnto them . But when they vnderstode his meanynge they aunswered : that they doubted greatly the falling of the skye with whose presumptious aunswer Alexander was nothing moued , nor further replied , sauing only that he said , the Germains were alwaies a proud people , and thereupon dismissed them . Agrians . As he was going from thence against the Agrians & the Peans . Agryans . clitus Bardeleius Glancias Kynge of Thalants Lagarus . he was aduertised that Clitus Bardeleius had rebelled , and was confederate with Glancias the kynge of the Thaulantes . he had also intelligence , that the people of Anteria wold giue him bataile in his passage wherefore he commytted to Lagarus the Kynge of Agryans ( wich was welbeloued of King Philip , & no les fauored of Alexander ) the charge to go againste the Anterians , Anterians . and promysed him vpon his retorne to giue him his suster Cyna in mariage . Cina . And Alexander him self with great celeritie went against Clytus & Glaucias , whom in sondrey bataylles he ouercame , & put to flight . Whiles Alexander was about thes thinges , The Greks rebellyd . he receiued aduertisement , the diuers Cities in Greace & specially the Thebans had rebelled which thinge moued him muche , & was the cause that he retorned with spede to oppresse the commocion . The Thebanes in this meane season besieged the Castle of Thebes , wher in was a guarrison of Macedones , and went about by al meanes to win it . To whose rescue Alexander came by greate iourneys . & encamped with his host nere to the Citie . The siege of Thebes Such as bare rule amonges the Thebanes , when thei sawe Alexander come , contrary to that they loked for , & doubted whether such ayde shuld come to them from other Cities , as was promysed , began to consulte how to procede . At length by a general consent they determyned to abide th aduenture of the warre . The King in the meane season stode at a staye , geuyng them spare to be better aduised , & chaunge purpose for he was of opinion . that not one Citye wold euer haue made resistance , against so great a power as he had , beinge aboue .xxx. thousand , fotmen , and thre thousand horsemen , al olde Souldyers , and experte in the traueiles of warre . The truste of whose manhode and valyantenes had caused hym to vndertake the warres agaynst the Percians . Trulye yf the Thebans had gyuen place too fortune , & to the tyme , and wold haue required peace they mighte easelie haue obtained it his disire was so greate to passe into Asia against the Percians . but the Thebans that were determined to trye their force , and vse no praiers , fought agaynst the Macedōes that far exceded their nombre obstynatly & with greate manhode . But whiles the batailes were ioyning the guarrison of the castle issued out vpon the Thebanes backe , wherby being enclosed they were vanquyshed , their Cytie taken , spoiled , The distraccion of Thebes and vtterly rased . Which thynge Alexander did of purpose because he thought the reste the Grecians afraied by their ensample , wold be the more quiet whiles he shoulde be in the warres of Asia . to gratifie the Phocians and Plateans that were confederat with hym , through the manifold accusations that they brought in agaynste the Thebanes , he slewe of them Six thousande ▪ and solde thirte thousand as Slaues the money wherof coming amounted to the som of foure hundred and forty talentes yet he spared al the linage of Pindarus the Poete , Pindarus the Poet. wherbye he woulde wytnes vnto the worlde , the fauour he did beate vnto learned men . In this Citie of Thebes was a notable woman called Timoclea ▪ Tymoclea . whome when A capteyne of Thrace did rauishe , & wold haue enforced her to confes her monye , she brought him to a well where she saide all her precious gere was hydden . And whiles he stouped downe to loke into the wel , she thrust him in , and threwe stones after ▪ wherby he was slaine For this facte she being comitted to prysone and afterwardes brought before Alexander : he asked her what she was , she aunswered with out feare , that she was Suster to Theogenes whych beind elected general Captayne against king Philip his father , manfully died for the libertie of Grece . At wose stowtnes & constancy the King merueled so much that he caused her with her children to be set at liberte The Athenians had so greate pitie and compassion of the estate of the Thebanes , that contrarye to the commaundement of Alexander , they receyued into theyr Citie such of them as escaped . Whiche thing Alexander toke in such displeasure , that when thei sente Embassadours the second tyme to demaunde peace , he would not graunte atonement , vpon any other condicion , but that such Oratours & Captaines which had sturred them to rebellion , shuld be deliuered vnto his handes . But at length the matter was brought to that poynet that the Oratours were reserued , & the Captaynes banished , which straight fled to Darius Kyng of Percia . At such tyme as Alexander assembled the Grecians in Isthmos for the determinacion of his iourney into Percia , many Oratours & Philosophers came to visite him , Diogenes . only Diogenes that remayned about Corinthe kept hym selfe away , as one that estemed Alexander nothyng at all . wherat he marueiled much , & went to visit him , wher he was beking of him selfe in the son . He asked Diogenes if he had nede of any thing that he might do . To whom Diogenes nether gaue reuerence nor thanks , but willed hym to stand out of his son shine . With whose behauour and wordes Alexander was so delited , that turning to those that were with hym said : if he were not Alexander , he would wysh to be Diogenes . When he had put in ordre th affaires of Grece , comitting the rule therof togither with the Realme of Macedon to the gouernement of Antipater , Antipater . whom he most trusted . in the beginning of the spring came to Hellespont with his hole Armye , Hellespont which he transported into Asia with incredible spede & diligens . When they were come to the furder shore , Alexander threwe a darte to th ennemies land , and as he was armed lepyd out of the ship wyth great chetefulnes , and their sacrified , making peticion vnto the gods that thei wold voucsafe towardes his enemies , and forbad his Souldiers to make eny spoyle vpon the contrey , persuadinge them to spare that was ther owne , and that thei shuld not destroyt the thinge , which they came to possesse . He not had in his Army aboue the nombre of .xxxii. M. The number of Alexander Armye . fotemen & v. M. horsemen , and but . Clxxx. ships . wherfore yt is harde to iudge whither yt be more , wonderful , that he conquered the worde , or that he dursd attempte the conqueste therof , wyth so small a powre , he chase not out to suche a dangerus enterpryse the yonge men whych were in the firste floure of there age , but th old souldiers of whom the more parte for there longe contiunans in warres , were by the custome at lyberty , whither they wold go to the warres any more or no , sauing at there owne pleasure . And there was none of the captaynes nor of ani other that bare office in the Army that was vnder the age of .lx. yeares . So that the souldiers , for their experience semed to be Scolemastres of the warres . And the captayns for there grauitie apered to be Senators in some auncient comon welth . That was the couse that in the fighte none of the minded any flieng but everie one conceyued the victorie in his hedde , nor any put trust in his fete , but in his handes . Alexander that euery where made sacrifice , did vse moste solempnitie at Troye vpon Achilles Tombe , Achylles . of whom he was discended by his mothers side . He iudged hym moste happye of all men that had bene before , because in suche glory he died yonge , and had hys actes set forthe of such one as Homer was . Homer . From thence he passed forewardes into the domynions of Diarus Kynge of Perce , which beinge the sonne of Arsanus , Darius king of Perce . and the fourtene Kyng after Cirus , had gotten the possession of the Monarchie of the hole easte parte of the worlde . The chiefe cause that moued Alexander too inuade him was to be reuenged of the damgs & distruccōs , wherwith his predecessours had afflicted the contrei of Greace , & also for demanding tribut of Philip his father for that wiche he sent a proude & presumptious ambassad called himself the King of kinges & Kiusman of the gods , lastly he had written to Alexander & called him his seruant , & gaue commission to his lieutenants that thei shuld beat the mad boy the sonne of Philip with roddes & afterwards bring him to his presence in kings aparaile And lasteli that they shuld drowne both ship & mariners & conuey al the Souldirs that shuld be lefte on liue , beyond the rede seas theytherfore purposing to execute the kings commandement , Troye Propontydes . assembled theyr powre at the riuer of Grāik ( which doth deuid the contrei of Troie from propontidis ) thei had to the nombre of .xx. M. fotmen & as many horsemen , with whom thei had taken the ground on the further sid of the ryuer , wher Alexander must nedes passe ouer , wherof he being advertisid though he sawe but present ꝑil in th enterprise to fight in the water & the ouse from the lower ground , The battal vppn the Ryuer of Grauyk . agaynst his enemyes which had th aduantage of the higher bank . yet vpon a singuler truste of hys owne good fortune , and the valiantnes of his soulders , attempted the matter . At the fyrst he was sore resisted , & put in great hasard of repulse , but at length he vanqueshed and otuerthrewe his enemies . In doing whereof there neither wanted polycie in him self , nor yet singler manhode in his men . Ther was slayne in that battell of the percians .xx. M. fotemen with .cc.l. horsmen . And of the Macedones but .xxxiiii. Thys victorie was greatlye effectuall to Alexanders purpose , for therby he wan the Cytie of Sardes , Sardes . beinge the cheyfe strength the percians had for the maistering of the seas , Lydia , Ephelos . vnto the whyche Cytye and to all the reste of the contreye of lidia he gaue libertye to liue vnder their owne lawes He got also into his possessyon the Cytye of Epheses by reason that the fourth daye after the battell yt was abandoned of the guarison which Darius set ther. Magnesia . In the meane season ther cam Anbassedours from Magnesia & from the Trallians proffering the delyuery of thier Cities . Parmenio was sent to them with .iii. Meliton . thousand fotemen & .cc. horsemen , Helicarnassus . wyth whych powre he wan Miletum that s●od at defence , & marching from thens toward helycarnassus got al the townes therabouts at the first approche & afterwardes besieged helicarnassus yt self which with great trauaile he wan at length , Ada the Quene of Carya . & rased to the ground . As Alexander entered into Caria , Orontoc●tes Ada the Quēe of that Countrey , Alynda . which had bene spoiled of al hir Domynion by Orontobates Darius lieutenant ( sauinge of one strong Citye called Alinda ) mette with Alexander , and adopted hym for hir sonne and heire , He wold not refuse the name & the proffer of hir liberalitie , but dyd betake to hyr againe , the custody of hyr owne Citie . Licia . And besides for the memory of hyr beneuolens , put the hole Contrey of Caria vnder hyr rule and subiection . From thence he wente into Lycia and Pamphilia to th entent that by gettyng the possession of the sea costes of those contries , Pamphilia shulde causse the sea powre of Darius to stand to none effecte . when he had ones subdued the people of Pisydia , Pisydia . he entred into Phrigia by the which contrey he was enforsed to passe , and marched towards Darius , Phrigia . with whom he had great desire to encounter , hearynge saye that he was comming against him with many thousand of men of warre .