Page 568 About this time Thirty thousand Persians (very Proper and handsom young Men, and of strong Bodies) came to Susa. These, according to the King's Command, had for some considerable time been getting together, and had been train'd up by their Tutors and Governors in Martial Discipline; and all of them compleatly furnish'd with Macedonian Arms encamp'd before the City; where they Train'd and Exercis'd before the King, and approv'd themselves so expert in the Management and Handling of their Arms, that they were honour'd by him with large and rich Gifts. For because the Macedonians refus'd to pass over the River Ganges, and in the common Assembly would many times with a great Bawling and Noise oppose the King, and mock at his Descent from Hammon, he got this Body of Persians (who were all about the same Age) to be as a Curb upon the Macedonian Brigade. And these were the things wherein Alexander employ'd himself at that time.
During this Indian Expedition, Harpalus, who was made by Alexander Lord High-Treasurer of Babylon, almost as soon as the King, had begun his march (hoping he would never return) gave up himself to all manner of Luxury and Excess: For he was Governor of a very large Province. In the first place, he follow'd a lewd Course of Forcing and Ravishing of Women, and committing all sorts of abominable Acts of Uncleanness with the Barbarians, by which Luxurious pranks of Wickedness he wasted the Treasure committed to his Charge. He order'd great multitudes of Fish to be brought to him from far Countries, as far as from the * Red Sea: And was so profuse in his daily Provisions for his Table, that all cry'd shame of him, and none gave him a good Word. He sent likewise for a famous Strumpet from Athens, call'd Pythonices, to whom he gave most Princely Gifts whilst she liv'd, and buried her with as much state when she was dead, and built for her a most magnificent Monument in Athens.
After her death he sent for another Curtesan out of Attica, call'd Glycera, with whom he liv'd at such a height of Voluptuousness and Expence, as exceeded all bounds: But that he might have a Refuge to fly unto, in case of the cross and destructive Blasts of Fortune, he made it his business chiefly to oblige the Athenians. And therefore when Alexander return'd from his Indian Expedition, and had cut off the Heads of many of the Provincial Governors for their Male-administrations; Harpalus fearing the same Punishment, bagg'd up Five thousand Talents of Silver, and rais'd Six thousand Mercenary Soldiers, and so left Asia and sail'd for Attica. But when he perceiv'd none were forward to come in to him, he left his Soldiers at Tenarus in Laconia, and taking part of the Money with him fled to the Athenians for Protection: But being demanded to be be deliver'd up by Letters from Antipater and Olympias, (having first distributed large Rewards amongst the Orators that had pleaded for him, and manag'd his concern with the Athenians) he withdrew himself and fled to his Soldiers at Tenarus. Thence he sail'd to Creet, and there was Murther'd by Thimbro, one of his Friends.
The Athenians likewise (examining the matter concerning the Money given by Harpalus) condemn'd Demosthenes, and several other Orators, for being corrupted by him with Bribes.
About this time, Alexander, at the Celebration of the Olympick Games, caus'd publick Proclamation to be made by an Herald, That all Exiles (except Robbers of Temples and Murderers) should return to their several Countries: And he himself pick'd out Ten thousand of the Oldest Soldiers in his Army, and discharg'd them from further Service; and being inform'd that many of them were in debt, he paid the whole in one Day, to the value of no less then Ten thousand Talents. The rest of the Macedonians carrying themselves with great Malepartness towards him, and in a General Assembly with Bawling and Noise contradicting him, he was so enrag'd and sharp in his returns upon them, that they were all put into a great Fright; and in that Rage was so daring, that he leap'd down from the Tribunal, and seiz'd upon some of the Ring leaders of the Mutiny with his own hands, and deliver'd them to the Lictors to be Executed. At length, when he saw that the Disorders and Mutiny still encreas'd, he made such of the Persians Officers as he thought fit, and preferr'd them to the chiefest Commands. Upon which, the Macedonians recollected themselves, and had much ado to regain Alexander's favour, though they address'd themselves to him both with Petitions and Tears.
The Histories of Herodotus written in 440 BC is considered to be the founding work of history in Western literature. His history included stories and fables but he claimed to have traveled extensively and learned about many countries through direct observation.
The thesis of Stolen Legacy is that the Egyptians created what is wrongly called Greek philosophy. Dr. James argues that the African origin of Greek Philosophy is well known but rarely discussed. Ancient Greek historians such as Herodotus and Diodorus the Sicilian wrote in significant detail about the contributions of Egypt. Egyptian technology and libraries were unmatched and Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras and Plato studied there. The contribution of Africa to the intellectual foundation of modern knowledge is tremendous but unacknowledged.
The Library of History by Diodorus the Sicilian is one of the most highly regarded universal histories in antiquities. His work includes the history of Egypt, Asia, Africa, Greece and Europe. His book is a must read for research of ancient history.
Bible Study The King James Bible (kjv), World English Bible (web) and Bible in Basic English (bbe) are all examples of public domain books. The King James Bible (kjv) online uses the content from these books and open source software to enhance Bible study capabilities. The site includes the verse of the day, search tools, christian literature and links to related content. It demonstrates the use of open source to create a valuable service.