Page 787 Language of the Barbarians, and therefore was judged a fit Person to transact matters with them.
The King having in the space of 20 days Wall'd the City he had before design'd to build, gave it the Greek Mercenaries to be Inhabited by them, and to such neighbouring Barbarians as had a mind to remove their Habitations and dwell there, and to some of the Macedonians that were Disabled, and unfit to bear Arms.
Afterwards having Sacrificed to the Gods after the manner of his Country, and exhibited the Gymnick Sports, and Horse-Courses, finding that the Scythians did not March back and leave the River, but threw their Darts over, (for it was there very narrow) and after their Barbarous manner, gave out most opprobious and railing Language against Alexander, as that he durst not fight with the Scythians, and if he did, he should find by experience, how great a difference there was between the Scythians and the Barbarous Asiaticks: The King being provok'd with these things, resolv'd to pass the River and fall upon 'em, and commanded Leather Boats to be made ready for that purpose. Having therefore Sacrific'd for his good Success, the Intrails of the Beasts promised nothing that was Prosperous, which made him very uneasie, but he bore it very patiently, and staid there. The Scythians still continuing their slight and contemptuous Language, he again Sacrificed, and when Aristander the Soothsayer declar'd that danger was
However Alexander's Boats being now ready, and his Army standing all in Arms at the Rivers Brink, he order'd that upon a Sign given, they should Discharge the Engines against the Scythians that Rid over against them, on the other side; which done, some of them were wounded with the Darts, and one of them especially was pierc'd with a Dart througli his Buckler and Breast-plate, and fell down dead from his Horse. But the Barbarians being terrified with Darts that wounded them at so great a distance, and with the fall of that Valiant Man, by degrees drew off further from the Bank of the River. Alexander discerning 'em to be in disorder by the stroaks of the Darts, with sound of Trumpet passed over the River at the head of his Army; and the Archers and Slingers being first sent over, he Commanded them to ply the Scythians with their Slings and Arrows least they should fall in upon the Phalanx as they were passing over, before all his Body of Horse had recover'd the other-side. When all had now gain'd the further Bank of the River, he first fell upon the Scythians with one of the Squadrons of the Social Regiment, and Four Regiments of those that were arm'd with Saralles, whose Shock the Scythians bravely bore up against, and surrounded 'em with their Horse, so that many overpowring them, that were but few, they easily kept themselves whole and entire. Alexander thereupon mixing his Archers and Agrians, and other select Troops (over whom Balacrus had the Command) fell in upon the Scythians, and being now on both sides mixt together, the King order'd three Squadrons of Horse of the Social Band, and all his Horse that were Darters, to Charge in upon the Scythians; and he himself at the Head of the rest of the Horse made straight upon 'em, so that now they were not able any longer to keep their Horse in a Ring as before; for the Horse prest sore upon 'em, at the same time, and the light armed Men being mixt with the Horse, they suffer'd not the Enemy with any safety to Wheel about with their Horse to surround 'em. Upon which the Scythians were put to a Total Flight, and about a Thousand kill'd, and an Hundred and fifty taken Prisoners, amongst whom was Satrices one of their two Generals.
SOme of the Prisoners of the Sogdians of Noble Birth, and Proper Handsome Men were brought before the King; who as soon as they understood by an Interpreter that they were to die, they began to Sing, Skip and Dance as Men transported with joy, using many Lascivious gestures of their Bodies. The King admining the greatness of their Courage, at the approach of Death, commanded them to be brought to him, and as • t them why they were so Excessively m •• y, when Death was even before their Eyes? who
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.