Page 616 besides; careful therefore to preserve his own Interest, and hoping thereby with more ease to gain the chief Command by having more Men than any of the rest, he brought Ten thousand Archers more into the Camp according to their Desire.
: For Persia is full of long and narrow Valleys, and has many high Watch-Towers, upon which were plac'd some of the Inhabitants that were Men of loud and strong Voices: When the Voice was heard by those in the next Division, they imparted it in the same manner to the other, and they again to the rest, one after another till what was Commanded came at length to the end of the Province.
While Eumenes and Peucestes were busy about these Affairs, Antigonus came with his Army to the King's Palace in Susa, and made Seleucus Lord-Lieutenant of the Province, and leaving with him a sufficient Army, order'd him to besiege the Cittadel, Xenophilus the Treasurer refusing to obey his Commands; but he himself march'd away with his Army against the Enemy, through a hot scalding Country, very dangerous for Foreign Armies to pass. Therefore they were forc'd to march in the night, and encamp near the River before Sun-rising: However he could not secure himself from all the Inconveniencies and Mischiefs of that Country: For though he did all that was possible for him to do, yet through the excessive Heat of the Season, (being about the rising of the Dog-Star,) he lost a great Multitude of his Men. Coming at length to the River Coprates, he prepar'd what was necessary for the passing over of his Men. This River issues from a Mountainous Country, and runs into Tigris, and is Four Acres broad, and was Fourscore Furlongs distant from Eumenes his Camp. The Stream is so rapid and swift, that there's no passing over without Boats, or a Bridge. Having therefore got together a few Flat bottom'd Boats, in them he put over some of his Foot, ordering them to draw a Trench and cast up Works to defend it, and there to attend the coming over of the rest.
Eumenes having Intelligence by his Scouts of the Enemies Designs, pass'd over the Bridge of Tigris with Four thousand Foot and Thirteen hundred Horse, and found above Three thousand Foot and Three hundred Horse of Antigonus his Army got over ; and no less than Six thousand who were forraging up and down the Country: These he suddenly set upon and routed them, and presently put the rest to flight. As for the Macedonians (who stood their Ground) being overpower'd with Number, he forc'd them all to the River, where running headlong into their Boats, and overcharging them, they sunk down: Upon which many of them endeavouring to swim, some few of them escap'd, but the rest were all drown'd. Others that could not swim, (judging it more advisable to fall into the Enemies hand, than certainly to lose their Lives in the River,) were taken Prisoners, to the number of Four thousand. Antigonus, for want of Boats, was not able to help them, though he saw such Multitudes perish. Conceiving therefore that it was impossible to pass the River, he march'd back to the City Badaca, seated upon the River Ulaie. By reason of the vehement Heat, this March was very sweltering and troublesome, and many of the Army were tir'd out, so that they were Heartless, and even at their Wits end: But when he came to the City before-mention'd, staying there some days, he refresh'd his Army. Thence he judg'd it advisable to march to Ecbatane in Media, and making that the Seat of War, to take in all the higher Provinces.
There were two Ways that led to Media, and both were difficult; that over the Mountains was pleasant, and the High-way; but scorching hot, and very long, almost Forty Days Journey. That through the Country of the Cosseans was strait, narrow, and steep, leading through the Enemies Borders, and barren and scant of Provision, but a short Cut, and more cool; yet it was not easie for an Army to march this way, unless Agreement were made with the Barbarians, who inhabit the Mountains.
They have been a Free People time out of Mind, and inhabit in Caves, and feed upon Acorns and Mushrooms, and the salted Flesh of wild Beasts. But he look'd upon it as a dishonourable thing for him who commanded so great an Army, to court these Barbarous People with smooth Words, or gain them by rich Gifts. He pick'd out therefore the choicest of his Targateers, and divided the Archers and Slingers, and such like light-arm'd Men into two Bodies, and deliver'd them to Nearchus, with command to go before him, and first secure the Streights, and difficult Passes. These being posted all along in the Way, he himself led the Phalanx, and Pitho commanded the Rear.
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.