Page 600 Cause, that they who consider'd the wonderful Changes that attended Eumenes should be taus affected: For who that does but observe the different Accidents in the course of Man's Life, would not be amaz'd at the various Turns and Changes of Fortune to and fro, first on one side, then on another? Or who, trusting in the present Supports of a prosperous Fortune, would upon that account be so far transported, as to forget the Infirmity of Human Nature? For every Man's Life (as dispes'd and order'd by the Providence of some one of the Gods) has been chequer'd (as it were) with the reciprocal Turns of Good and Evil in all Ages of the World. So that it is a Wonder, that not only what is strange and unaccountable, but that even every thing that falls out should be surprizing and unexpected. Therefore who can sufficiently value History? For by the variety and change of Affairs, (there represented,) a Check is given to the Pride of the Fortunate, and allays the Grief and Misery of the Unprosperous. Which Things Eumenes then wisely considering, and weighing beforehand the Instability of Fortune, he manag'd his Affairs with the more Caution and Prudence. For thinking with himself that he was but a Stranger, and had no Right to Kingly Power and Authority, and that the Macedonians (who were now under his Command) not long before judg'd him to Die; and that the Commanders and Captains were all inflam'd with the Heat of ambitious Designs, he conceiv'd that in a short time he should be despis'd and envy'd, and at length be brought into danger of his Life. For none are willing to submit to the Commands of those that they look upon to be their Inferiors, nor be Lorded over by them, who ought rather to be under the Commands of others themselves. Seriously therefore pondering these Things with himself, in the first place he refus'd to accept of his Five hundred Talents order'd him by the King's Letters for the Repair of his former Losses, and Refitting of himself with Necessaries: For he said, He needed not so large a Sum, seeing he pretended to no Principality there; and that which he now enjoy'd was not of his own Choice, but was forc'd by the Kings to undertake the present Service. To conclude, he said, That by reason of the continual Fatigues of War he was so worn out, that he was not able to endure those Hardships, and runnings from Place to Place, any longer, especially being that a Stranger had no Right to Command; and by Law was excluded from the Authority due to be executed by such as were of the same Nation with the Macedonians: For he said, There was represented to him a wonderful Apparition in his Dream, which he judg'd very necessary to discover to them all, for that it might (as he conceiv'd) conduce much to the promoting of Peace and Concord, and the Publick Good. He declar'd, That in his Sleep Alexander, the late King, seem'd to appear to him (as he was when living) adorn'd in his Royal Robes, and sitting on his Throne giving out Orders to his Captains, and (as in his Health) disposing and managing all the Affairs and Concerns of the Kingdom.
All were very well pleas'd with what he said; and thereupon every thing was presently prepared for the purpose, for the King's Treasury was very rich; and that stately Work was forthwith finish'd, and the Throne was set up; whereon were plac'd the Diadem, Scepter, and the Arms he us'd to wear. Then was plac'd an Altar with Fire upon it, upon which all the Captains one after another cast Frankincense, (taken out of a Golden Casket,) and other costly sweet Odours, and ador'd Alexander as a God. After this were order'd a great number of Seats, upon which the Captains and great Commanders sate together, and there consulted and debated all the weighty and important Affairs. Eumenes in the mean time carrying himself with an equal Respect and Deference in all publick Meetings towards all the Captains, and suppling them with fair and courteous Language, not only avoided the Strokes of Envy, but thereby gain'd all their Hearts. By the same Artifice (through the Prevalency of Superstition relating to the King) he so elevated the Hopes and Expectations of the whole Army, as if some God were to be their General. In like manner he behav'd himself towards the Argyraspides, and thereby so gain'd their Favour, that they counted him highly worthy to be the Protector of the Kings.
Then he pick'd out the fittest Persons from among his Friends, and furnish'd them with great Sums of Money, and employ'd them to hire Soldiers up and down upon large Pay. Whereupon some of them forthwith went into Pisidia and Lycia, and the bordering Countries, and diligently put in execution what they were commanded. Others went into Cilicia, and some into Coelo-Syria and Phoenicia, and others sail'd to the Cities in Cyprus. This Listing of Soldiers being nois'd abroad, and reported what large Pay was
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.