Page 575 Arideus being thus made King, he call'd together a General Council of the chief Commanders; and to Ptolomeus Lagus he committed the Government of Aegypt; to Laomedon of Mitylene, Syria; to Philotas, Cilicia; to Python, Media; to Eumenes, Cappadocia and Paphlagonia, and the bordering Countries which were never entred by Alexander all the time of his Wars with Darius, through want of convenient Opportunity. To Antigonus he assign'd the Command of Lycia, and the greater Phrygia; to Cassander, Caria; to Meleager, Lydia; to Leonatus, Phrygia all along the Coast of the Hellespont: And in this manner were the Provinces divided. In Europe, Thrace, with the Nations bordering upon the Sea of Pontus, were committed to Lysimachus; and Macedonia with those bordering upon it to Antipater: As for the rest of the Asian Provinces, it was thought most adviseable not to alter but to leave them under the Government of the former Lord Lieutenants. The Province next adjoining was intrusted with Taxilis, and the Kings bordering upon him: But the Province adjoining to Mount Caucasus (call'd Parapamisus) was assign'd to Oxiertes, King of the Bactrians, whose Daughter Rhoxana, Alexander had marry'd. Arachesia and Gedrosia to Sybirtius: Ariana and Drangina to Stasanoris of Solos: Bactriana and Sardiana were allotted to Philip; Parthia and Hyrcania to Phrataphernes; Persia to Peucestes; Carmania to Tlepolemus; Media to Atrapas. The Province of Babylon to Archon; and Mesopotamia to Arcesilaus. Seleucus he created General of the brave Brigade of the Social Horse. Hephestion was the first Commander of that Brigade, then Perdiccas, and the third was this Seleucus. He order'd that Taxiles and Porus should enjoy the absolute Authority within their own Kingdoms, as Alexander himself had before appointed. The care of the Funeral, and of preparing a Chariot to convey the King's Body to Hammon, was committed to Arideus.
But as for Craterus, the most Noble of Alexander's Captains, he was some time before sent by Alexander with Ten thousand of the old Soldiers that were discharg'd from further Service in the Persian War, into Cilicia, to put in Execution some Instructions in writing given him by the King; which after the King's Death, his Successors determin'd should be no further proceeded in: For Perdiccas finding in the King's Commentaries not only the vast Sums of Money intended to be expended in the Funeral of Hephestion, but likewise many other things of extraordinary Cost and Charge design'd by the King, he judg'd it far more advisable to let them alone: But lest he should seem to take too much upon him, and by his private Judgment to detract from Alexander's Wisdom and Discretion, he referr'd all these Matters to the determination of a General Council of the Macedonians. The Chief and the most considerable Heads of the King's purposes contain'd in his Books of Remembrance were these, That a Thousand long Ships, larger than those of three Tire of Oars, should be built in Phaenicia, Syria, Cilicia, and Cyprus, in order to an Invasion upon the Carthaginians, and others inhabiting the Sea Coasts of Africa and Spain, with all Islands adjoyning as far as Sicily. 2. That a Plain and Easie way should be made straight along through the Sea Coasts of Africa to Hercules his Pillars. 3. That Six magnificent Temples should be built, and that Fifteen hundred Talents should be expended in the Cost of each of them. 4. That Arsenals and Ports should be made in Places convenient and fit for the Reception of so great a Navy. 5. That the new Cities should be planted with Colonies, and that People should be transplanted out of Asia into Europe, and others out of Europe into Asia, to the end, that by Intermarriages and mutual Affinities he might establish Peace and Concord between the two main Continents of the World.
Some of the Temples before-mention'd were to be built in Delos, Delphos, and Dodona; Some in Macedonia, as the Temple of Jupiter in Dio; Diana's Temple in Amphipolis; another to Minerva in Cyrnus: To which Goddess he design'd likewise to build a Temple in Ilium, inferior to none, for Splendor and Magnificence. Lastly, To adorn his Father Philip's Sepulchre, he design'd to erect a Monument equal to the biggest Pyramid in Aegypt, seven of which were by some accounted the most stately and greatest Works in the World.
These things being laid before them, the Macedonians, though they highly commended and approved of Alexander's designs, yet because they seem'd things beyond all measure impracticable, they decreed all to be laid aside. Then Perdiccas caus'd those Soldiers that were Turbulent, and exceeding Inveterate against him, to the number of Thirty, to be put to Death: Afterwards, out of a private Grudge he executed Meleager, (who betray'd his Embassy, and carry'd on the Mutiny) as one that sought to undermine him.
About this time the Grecians in the upper Provinces revolted, and got together a great Army: Against whom he sent Pithon one of the chiefest Commanders. But we conceive it much conducing to the better Understanding of the History of things that were afterwards done, if in the first Place we declare the Cause of the Revolt, and the Situation
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.