Persia.

23 He con

&c. The ill success which attended him here, how. Persin. ever, was so far from making him drop the enterprise, that it only made him the more intent on reducing the Grecians; and he resolved to head his army in person, having attributed his former bad success to the inexperience of his generals. But while he was employed in making the necessary preparations for this purpose, he received intelligence that the Egyptians had revolted, so that he was obliged to make preparations for reducing them also; and before this could be done, the king died, after having reigned 36 years, leaving the throne to his son Xerxes.

the country as they went along, till at last the king, sensible of the danger he was in, resolved to give over the enterprise and return home. In order to do so with safety, he lighted a great number of fires in the nighttime, and decamped; leaving behind him the old men and the sick, who fell into the hands of their enemies. The Scythians perceiving that Darius was gone, detached a considerable body to the bridge over the Danube; and as they were well acquainted with the roads, they got thither before the Persians. The Scythians had sent expresses before hand to persuade the Ionians, whom Darius had left to guard the bridge, to break it down and retire to their own country; and this they pressed the more earnestly, that as the time prescribed by Darius was now expired, they were at liberty to return home, without breaking their word or being wanting in their duty. Miltiades, prince of the Chersonesus of Thrace, was for embracing so favourable an opportunity of cutting off Darius's retreat, and shaking off the Persian yoke at once: all the other commanders agreed with him, except Hystiæus prince of Miletus; who represented to the Ionian chiefs, that their power was connected with that of Darius, since it was under his protection that each of them was lord in his own city; and that the cities of Ionia would not fail to depose them and recover their liberty, if the Persian power should sink or decline. This speech made a deep impression on the rest, and it was at last determined that they should wait for Darius; and in order to deceive the Scythians, they began to break down the bridge, but advised them to return back and defeat Darius. They did so, but missed him; and he having thus safely escaped so great a danger, immediately repassed the Bosphorus, and took up his winter quarters at Sardis, leaving Megabyzus, one of his chief generals, to complete the conquest of Thrace.

The king having sufficiently refreshed his troops who quers India. had suffered extremely in the Scythian expedition, began to think of extending his dominions eastward; and in order to facilitate his design, resolved in the first place to discover those countries. With this view he caused a fleet to be built and equipped at Caspatyrus, a city on the river Indus. The command of this fleet he gave to one Scylax, a Grecian of Caryandia, a city of Caria, who was well versed in maritime affairs. Him he ordered to sail down the current, and make the best discoveries he could of the countries lying on either side of the river, till he arrived at the southern ocean; from whence he was to steer his course westward, and that way return to Persia. Scylax, having exactly observed his instructions, and sailed down the river Indus, entered the Red sea by the straits of Babelmandel, and on the thirtieth month from his first setting out, landed at the same place from whence Nechu king of Egypt formerly sent out the Phoenicians who circumnavigated Africa. From hence Scylax returned to Susa, where he gave a full account of his discoveries; upon which Darius, marching into India at the head of a powerful army, reduced that large country, and made it a province of the Persian empire, drawing from thence an annual tribute of 360 talents of gold.

24 Revolt of

Soon after the expedition of Darius against India the Ionians, happened the revolt of the Ionians, which gave occasion to his expedition into Greece; an account of which is given under the articles ATTICA, GREECE, SPARTA,

&c.

24

This prince ascended the throne of Persia in the year Expeditions 485 B. C.; and his first enterprise was to reduce the of Xerxes Egyptians; which he effectually did, bringing them in- against Egypt and to a worse state of slavery than they ever had experien-Greece. ced before. After this he resolved on an expedition into Greece; the unfortunate event of which is related under the article ATTICA. By his misfortunes in the Grecian expedition, he became at last so dispirited, that he thenceforth abandoned all thoughts of war and conquests; but growing tyrannical, and oppressing his subjects, he was murdered in his bed, in the year 464 B. C. and 21st of his reign; and was succeeded by his third 26 son Artaxerxes, surnamed Longimanus on account of Xerxes suc ceeded by the great length of his arms.

Longima

nus.

This prince is named Ahasuerus in Scripture, and is Artaxerxes the same who married Esther, and during the whole of, his reign showed the greatest kindness to the Jewish nation. In the beginning of his reign he was opposed by Hystaspes the second son of Xerxes, whom, however, he overcame, though not without considerable difficulty. After this he applied himself to the settlement of the affairs of government, and reforming many abuses which had crept in ; and then, being fully established on the throne, he appointed feasts and rejoicings to be made for 180 days in the city of Susa; at one of which he resolved to divorce his queen for disobedience; and afterwards married Esther, as we find it recorded in the sacred writings.

27

In the fifth year of the reign of Artaxerxes the Egyptians revolted anew, and, being assisted by the Athenians, held out for six years; but were again obliged to submit, and continued in subjection during the whole of his reign. Nothing else remarkable happened during the life of Artaxerxes Longimanus, who died in the 41st year of his reign; and was succeeded by Xerxes II. the only Xerxes II. son he had by his queen, though by his concubines he had 17. Xerxes having drunk immoderately at an entertainment immediately after his accession, retired to a chamber in order to refresh himself with sleep; but here he was murdered by Sogdianus, the son of Artaxerxes by one of his concubines, after he had reigned 45 days. Sogdianus was scarce seated on the throne when he Sogdianus, put to death Bagorazus, the most faithful of all his father's eunuchs; by which, and the murder of his sovereign, he became generally odious. Upon this, sensible of the dangerous situation in which he was, he sent for one of his brothers named Ochus, whom he suspected, with a design to murder him the moment he arrived. Ochus, however, understanding his design, put off, by Ochus. several pretences, his coming, till he had drawn together a powerful army, with which he advanced to the confines of Persia. Here he openly declared, that his design was to revenge his brother's death; which brought over

to

28

29

st

Persia.

to him many of the nobility and governors of provinces, by whom he was immediately proclaimed king. Sogdianus, seeing himself thus deserted, contrary to the advice of all his friends, came to an accommodation with Ochus; who no sooner had him in his power than he caused him to be suffocated among ashes; a punishment invented on purpose for him.

Ochus being firmly settled on the throne by the death of Sogdianus, changed his name to Darius; and is by historians commonly called Darius Nothus, or The Bastard. But Arsites, another of the brothers, seeing in what manner Sogdianus bad got the better of Xerxes, and been afterwards driven out by Ochus, began to entertain thoughts of treating him in the same manner. He was not, however, so successful; for, being defeated in an engagement, he surrendered himself in hopes of mercy, but was immediately put to death by suffocation in ashes. Several other persons were executed; but these severities did not procure him the repose which he expected; for his whole reign was disturbed with violent commotions in various parts of the empire. One of the most dangerous was raised by Pisuthna, governor of Lydia; but he being deserted by his Greek mercenaries, was at last overcome, and put to death: however, his son Amorgas continued to infest the maritime provinces of Asia Minor for two years; till he also was taken prisoner by Tissaphernes, the new governor of Lydia, who put him to death. Other insurrections quickly followed this; but the greatest misfortune which befel Darius during the whole course of his reign was the revolt of the Egyptians, who could not be reduced. Before his death he invested Cyrus his youngest son with the supreme government of all the provinces of Asia Minor. This was done through the persuasions of his mother Parysatis, who had an absolute sway over her husband; and she procured this command for him, that he might thereby be enabled to contend for the kingdom after his father's death. She even insisted that the king should declare him heir to the crown before he died; but this he could not by any means be induced to do. He died Artaxerxes in the year 405 B. C. and was succeeded by his son Artaxerxes, by the Greeks surnamed Mnemon on account of his extraordinary memory.

30

Mnemon

31 Revolt of Cyrus the Younger.

The most remarkable transaction which happened during the reign of this prince was the revolt of his brother Cyrus. This young prince had been raised to so great power through the interest of his mother, on purpose that he might revolt, as we have already seen. He began with gaining over the cities under the government of Tissaphernes; which quickly produced a war with that governor. Cyrus then began to assemble troops, which he pretended were designed only against Tissaphernes. As he had given great assistance to the Lacedæmonians in their wars against the Athenians, he now in return demanded assistance from them; which request they very readily complied with, ordering their fleet immediately to join him, and to obey in every thing the commands of Tamos his admiral. At last Cyrus, having collected an army of 13,000 Greek mercenaries and 100,000 regular troops of other nations, set out from Sardis, directing his march towards Upper Asia; the army being entirely ignorant of the expedition on which they were going. When they arrived at Tarsus, the Greeks, suspecting that they were marching against the king, refused to proceed any further; but Cyrus having VOL. XVI. Part I.

gained them over with presents and promises, they soon went on with satisfaction. Having arrived at Cunaxa in the province of Babylon, Cyrus found his brother with 900,000 men ready to engage him. Whereupon, leaping out of his chariot, he commanded his troops to stand to their arms and fall into their ranks; which was done with great expedition, no time being allowed the soldiers to refresh themselves. Clearchus, the commander of the Peloponnesian troops, advised Cyrus not to charge in person, but to remain in the rear of the Greek battalions; but this advice he rejected with indignation, saying, that he should thus render himself unworthy of the crown for which he was fighting. As the king's army drew near, the Greeks fell upon them with such a fury, that they routed the wing opposite to them almost at the first onset; upon which Cyrus was with loud shouts proclaimed king by those who stood next to him. But he, in the mean time, perceiving that Artaxerxes was wheeling about to attack him in flank, advancing against him with 600 chosen borse, killed Artageses captain of the king's guards with his own hand, and put the whole body to flight. In this encounter, discovering his brother, he spurred on his horse, and, coming up to him, engaged him with great fury; which in some degree turned the battle into a single combat. Cyrus killed his brother's horse, and wounded him on the ground; but he immediately mounted another horse, when Cyrus attacked him again, gave him a second wound, and had already lifted up his hand to give him a third, when the guards, perceiving the danger in which their king was, discharged their arrows at once against his antagonist, who at the same time throwing himself headlong upon his brother, was pierced through by his javelin. He fell dead upon the spot; and all the chief lords of his court, resolving not to survive him, were slain in the same place.

153

Persia.

32

Battle of Cunaxa.

In the mean time, the Greeks having defeated the enemy's left wing commanded by Tissaphernes, and the king's right wing having put to flight Cyrus's left, both parties, being ignorant of what had passed elsewhere, imagined that they had gained the victory. But Tissaphernes acquainting the king that his men had been put to flight by the Greeks, he immediately rallied his troops, in order to attack them. The Greeks, under the command of Clearchus, easily repulsed them, and pursued them to the foot of the neighbouring hills. As night was drawing near, they halted at the foot of the hill, much surprised that neither Cyrus himself, nor any messenger from him, had appeared; for as yet they knew nothing of his death nor the defeat of the rest of the army. They determined therefore to return to their camp, which they did accordingly; but found there that the greatest part of their baggage had been plundered, and all their provisions taken, which obliged them to pass the night in the camp without any sort of refreshment. The next morning, as they were still expecting to hear from Cyrus, they received the news of his death, and the defeat of that part of the army. Whereupon they sent deputies to Ariæus, who was commander in chief of all the other forces of Cyrus, offering him, as conquerors, the crown of Persia. Ariæus rejected the offer, and acquainting them that he intended to set out early in the morning on his return to Ionia, advised Retreat of them to join him in the night. They followed his ad-sand vice, and, under the conduct of Clearchus, began their Grecks. march,

+

U

33

ten thou

mander, into Asia. This expedition was carried ou with such secrecy, that Agesilaus arrived at Ephesus before the Persians had the least notice of his designs. Here he took the field with 10,000 foot and 4000 horse, and falling upon the enemy while they were totally unprepared, carried every thing before him. Tissaphernes deceived him into a truce till he had leisure to assemble his forces, but gained little by his treachery; for Agesilaus deceived him in his turn, and while Tissaphernes marched his troops into Caria, the Greeks invaded and plundered Phrygia.

Persia. march, arriving at his camp about midnight, whence they set out on their return to Greece. They were at a vast distance from their own country, in the very heart of the Persian empire, surrounded by a victorious and numerous army, and had no means of retreat but by forcing their way through an immense tract of the enemy's country. But their valour and resolution mastered all these difficulties; and, in spite of a powerful army, which pursued and harassed them all the way, they made good their retreat for 2325 miles through the provinces belonging to the enemy, and got safe to the Greek citics on the Euxine sea. This retreat (the longest that was ever made through an enemy's country) was conducted at first by Clearchus ; but he being cut off through the treachery of Tissaphernes, Xenophon was chosen in his room, who at last brought his men safe into Greece: but for a full account of that famous retreat, see the article XENO

34

PHON.

War with The war with Cyrus was scarcely ended, when anothe Lace ther broke out with the Lacedæmonians, on the followdæmonians, ing account. Tissaphernes being appointed to succeed Cyrus in all his power, to which was added all which he himself possessed formerly, began to oppress the Greek cities in Asia in a most cruel manner. On this they sent ambassadors to Sparta, desiring the assistance of that powerful republic. The Spartans having ended their long war with the Athenians, willingly laid hold of the present opportunity of breaking again with the Persians, and therefore sent against them an army under the command of Thimbro, who, being strengthened by the forces which returned under Xenophon, took the field against Tissaphernes. But Thimbro being soon recalled upon some complaints, Dercyllidas, a brave officer and experienced engineer, was appoint ́ed to succeed him; and he carried on the war to much more advantage than his predecessor. On his arrival in Asia, finding that Tissaphernes was at variance with another governor named Pharnabazus, he concluded a truce with the former, and marching against Pharnabazus, drove him quite out of Æolis, and took several cities in other parts. The latter, however, immediately repaired to the Persian court, where he made loud complaints against Tissaphiernes, but gave the king a most salutary advice, which was to equip a powerful fleet, and give the command of it to Conon the Athenian, the best sea officer of his time, by which means he would obstruct the passage of further recruits from Greece; and thus soon put an end to the power of the Lacedæmonians in Asia. This advice being approved of, the king ordered 500 talents for the equipment of a fleet, with directions to give Conon the command of it.

In the mean time, Dercyllidas, with all his valour and skill, suffered himself to be drawn into such a disadvantageous situation that he must inevitably have been destroyed with his whole army, had it not been through the cowardice of Tissaphernes, who having experienced the Grecian valour at the battle of Cu naxa, could not by any means be induced to attack them. The Lacedæmonians, however, having heard that the Persian monarch was fitting out a great fleet against them, resolved to push on the war as vigorously as possible; and for this purpose sent over Agesilaus one of their kings, and a most experienced com

Early in the spring, Agesilaus gave out that his design was to invade Lydia; but Tissapherues, who remembered the last year's stratagem, now taking it for granted that Agesilaus would really invade Caria, made his troops again march to the defence of that province. But Agesilaus now led his army into Lydia as he had given out, and approached Sardis; upon which Tissaphernes recalled his forces from their former route, with a design to relieve the place. But Caria being a very mountainous country, and unfit for horse, he had marched thither only with the foot, and left the horse behind on the borders of that province. Whence, on their marching back to the relief of Sardis, the horse being some days march before the foot, Agesilaus took the advantage of so favourable an opportunity, and fell upon them before the foot could come to their assistance. The Persians were routed at the very first onset; after which Agesilaus overran the whole country, enriching both himself and his army with the spoils of the conquered Persians.

By this continued ill fortune Artaxerxes was so much provoked against Tissaphernes, that he soon after caused him to be put to death.

Persia.

On the death of Tissaphernes, Tithraustes, who was appointed to succeed him, sent large presents to Agesilaus, in hopes of persuading him to abandon his conquests; but finding that commander was not by any means to be induced to relinquish the war, he sent Timocrates of Rhodes into Greece, with large sums of money to corrupt the leading men in the cities, and rekindle a war against the Lacedæmonians. This strata- Agesilaus gem produced the intended effect; for the cities of obliged to Thebes, Argos, Corinth, and others, entering into a leave Asia confederacy, obliged them to recal Agesilaus to the defence of his own country.

35

defeated.

36 After the departure of Agesilaus, which happened Lacedæin the year 354 B. C. the Lacedæmonian power re-monians ceived a severe blow at Cnidos, where their fleet was' entirely defeated by that of Artaxerxes under Conop, 50 of their ships being taken in the engagement; after which, Conon and Pharnabazus being masters of the sea, sailed round the islands and coasts of Asia, taking the cities there which had been reduced by the Lacedæmonians. Sestos and Abydos only held out, and resisted the utmost efforts of the enemy, though they had been besieged both by sea and land.

Next year Conon having assembled a powerful fleet, again took Pharnabazus on board, and reduced the island of Melos, from whence he made a descent on the coasts of Lycaonia, pillaging all the maritime provinces, and loading his fleet with an immense booty. After this, Conon obtained leave of him to repair to Athens with 80 ships and 50 talents, in order to rebuild the walls of that city; having first convinced

Pharnabazus,

1

37

ged to Inake peace with the Persians.

38

Cyprus reduced.

Artaxerxes, being now disengaged from the Grecian war, turned his arms against Evagoras king of Cyprus. This man was descended from the ancient kings of Salamine the capital city of the island of Cyprus. His ancestors had held that city for many ages in quality of sovereigns; but were at last driven out by the Persians, who, making themselves masters of the whole island, reduced it to a Persian province. Evagoras, however, being a man of an enterprising genius, soon became weary of living in subjection to a foreign power, drove out the Persian governor, and recovered his paternal kingdom. Artaxerxes attempted to drive him out of it; but, being diverted by the Greek war, was obliged to put off the enterprize. However, Conon, by means of Ctesias chief physician to Artaxerxes, got all differences accommodated, and Artaxerxes promised not to molest him in the possession of his small kingdom. But Evagoras soon becoming discontented with such a narrow possession, gradually reduced under his subjection almost the whole of the island. Some, however, there were, who held out against him, and these immediately applied to Artaxerxes for assistance; and he, as soon as the war with Greece was at an end, bent all his force against Evagoras, intending to drive him quite out of the island. The Athenians, however, notwithstanding the favours lately conferred upon them by the king of Persia, could not forbear assisting their old ally in such a dreadful emergency. Accordingly, they sent him ten men of war under the command of Philocrates; but the Lacedæmonian fleet, commanded by Talentias brother to Agesilaus, falling in with them near the isle of Rhodes, surrounded them, so that not one ship could escape. The Athenians, determined to assist Evago ras at all events, sent Chabrias with another fleet and a considerable body of land forces; and with the assistance of these he quickly reduced the whole island. But in a short time, the Athenians being obliged, in consequence of the treaty concluded with the Persians, to recal Chabrias, Artaxerxes attacked the island with an army of 300,000 men, and a fleet of 300 ships. Evagoras applied to the Egyptians, Libyans, Arabians, Tyrians, and other nations, from whom he received supplies both of men and money; and fitted out a fleet, with which he ventured an engagement with that of Artaxerxes. But being defeated, and obliged to shut

Persit

,༢༠

ful expe

himself up in Salamine, he was closely besieged by sca and land. Here at last he was obliged to capitulate, and abandon to the Persians the whole of the island except Sa lamine, which he held as a king tributary to Artaxerxes. The Cyprian war being ended, Artaxerxes turned his arms against the Cadusians, whose country lay be tween the Euxine and Caspian scas. But these nations Unsuccesswere too well accustomed to war to be overcome by the ditions Persians; and therefore the king was obliged to aban-against the don the project, after having lost a great number of his Cadusians troops and all the horses which he took out with him, and EgypIn his Egyptian expedition, which happened immedi- tians. ately after the Cadusian war, he was attended with little better success; which, however, was owing to the bad conduct of his general Pharnabazus. This commander being entrusted with the management of the Egyptian war, sent an ambassador to Athens, complaining that Chabrias had engaged in the service of an enemy of the king of Persia, with whom the state of Athens was in alliance, and threatening the republic with his master's resentment if proper satisfaction was not given : at the same time he demanded Iphicrates, another Athenian, and the best general of his time, to command the Greek mercenaries in the Persian service. This the Athenians complied with; and Iphicrates having mu stered his troops, so exercised them in all the arts of war, that they became afterwards very famous among the Greeks under the name of Iphicratesian soldiers. Indeed he had sufficient time to instruct them; for the Persians were so slow in their preparations, that two whole years elapsed before they were ready to take the field. At the same time Artaxerxes, that he might draw the more mercenaries out of Greece, sent ambassadors to the different states in it, declaring it to be his will and pleasure that they should live at peace with each other, on the terms of the treaty lately concluded: which declaration was received with pleasure by al! the states except Thebes, who aspired at the sovereignty of Greece; and accordingly refused to conform to it. All things, however, at last being ready for the expedition, the troops were mustered at the city then called Ace, and since Ptolemais; where they were found to consist of 200,000 Persians under the command of Pharnabazus, and 20,000 Greeks led by Iphicrates. The fleet consisted of 300 galleys, besides a vast number of other vessels which followed with provisions. The fleet and army began to move at the same time; and that they might act in concert, they separated as little as possible. It was proposed, that the war should begin with the siege of Pelusium; but Nectanebus, the revolted king of Egypt, had provided so well for the defence of the place, that it was thought expedient to drop the enterprize, and make a descent at one of the mouths of the Nile. In this they succeeded: for the Egyptians not expecting them at that place, had not taken such care to fortify it as at Pelusium. The fortress of consequence was easily taken, and all the Egyptians in it put to the sword. After this, Iphicrates was for embarking the troops without loss of time, and attacking Memphis the capital of Egypt. Had this opinion been followed before the Egyptians recovered from the consternation into which they were thrown, it is highly probable that the whole country might have been reduced at once: but Pharnabazus would undertake nothing before the rest of the forces were come up. Iphicrates then, in U 21

the

Persia. the utmost vexation at losing so favourable an opportunity, pressed Pharnabazus to allow him to attack the place with the Greek mercenaries only; but he refused this also, from a mean jealousy of the honour which Iphicrates might acquire; and in the mean time the Egyptians recovered sufficient courage to put themselves in such a posture of defence, that they could not be attacked with any probability of success; and at the same time, the Nile overflowing as usual, obliged them to return to Phoenice. The expedition was again undertaken 12 years after, but without success.

40

Ochus suc

taxerxes.

The last years of the reign of Artaxerxes were greatceeds Ar ly disturbed by dissensions in his family; which at last broke his heart, and he died in the 94th year of his age, and 46th of his reign. He was succeeded by one of his sons named Ochus, who behaved with such cruelty, that almost one half of his dominions revolted as soon as he came to the throne. But, by reason of the dissensions of the rebels among themselves, all of them were reduced, one after another; and among the rest, the Sidonians, finding themselves betrayed, burnt themselves to the number of 40,000, together with their wives and children.

41

Reduces Egypt.

Ochus, having quelled all the insurgents, immediately set himself about reducing Egypt, and for this purpose procured a reinforcement of other 10,000 mercenaries from Greece. On his march, he lost a great number of his men drowned in the lake Serbonis, which lies between Phoenice and Egypt, extending about 30 miles in length. When the south wind blows, the whole surface of this lake is covered with sand, in such a manner that no one can distinguish it from the firm land. Several parties of Ochus's army were lost in it for want of proper guides; and it is said that whole armies have sometimes perished in the same place. When he arrived in Egypt, he detached three bodies to invade the country in different parts; each being commanded by a Persian and a Greek general. The first was led by Lachares the Theban, and Rosaces governor of Lydia and Ionia: the second by Nicostratus the Theban and Aristazanes; the third by Mentor the Rhodian and Bagoas an eunuch. The main body of the army he kept with himself, and encamped near PeJusium, with a design to watch the events of the war there. The event was successful, as we have related under the article EGYPT; and Ochus having reduced the whole country, dismantled their strongholds, plundered the temples, and returned to Babylon loaded with booty.

The king, having ended this war with such success, conferred very high rewards on his mercenaries and others who had distinguished themselves. To Mentor the Rhodian he gave 100 talents, and other presents to a great value; appointing him also governor of all the coasts of Asia, and committing to his care the whole management of the war which he was still carrying on against some provinces that had revolted in the beginning of his reign; and all these either by stratagems, or by force, he at last reduced; restoring the king's authority in all these places.-Ochus then, finding himself free from all troubles, gave his attention to nothing but his pleasures, leaving the administration of affairs entirely to Bagoas the eunuch, and to Mentor. These two agreed to share the power between them; in consequence of which the former had the pro

4

Ba. Fersia.

42

vinces of Upper Asia, and the latter all the rest. goas, being by birth an Egyptian, had a great zeal for the religion of his country, and endeavoured, on the conquest of Egypt, to influence the king in favour of the Egyptian ceremonies; but, in spite of all his endeavours, Ochus not only refused to comply, but killed the sacred bull, the emblem of the Egyptian god Apis, plundered the temples, and carried away their sacred records. This Bagoas supposed to be the highest Ochus mur. guilt which a human creature could commit; and there- derel by Bagoas. fore poisoned his master and benefactor in the 21st year of his reign. Nor did his revenge stop bere; for he kept the king's body, causing another to be buried in its stead; and because the king had caused his attendants eat the flesh of Apis, Bagoas cut his body in pieces, and gave it so mangled to be devoured by cats, making handles for swords of his bones. He then placed Arses the youngest of the deceased king's sons on the throne, that he might the more easily preserve the whole power to himself.

second

year

44

43

the Great,

Arses did not long enjoy even the shadow of power which Bagoas allowed him, being murdered in the of his reign by that treacherous eunuch, who now conferred the crown on Darius Codomannus, Darius Coa distant relation of the royal family. Neither did he domannus. incline to let him enjoy the crown much longer than his predecessor; for, finding that he would not suffer himself to be guided by him in all things, the treacherous Bagoas brought him a poisonous potion; but Darius got rid of him by his own artifice, causing him to drink the poison which he brought. This established Darius in the throne as far as security from internal enemies could do so; but in a very little time his dominions were invaded, and, we may say, the same moment conquered, by Alexander the Great. The parti- Persia conculars of that hero's conquest are related under the ar-quered by ticle MACEDON; we shall therefore here only take Alexander notice of the fate of Darius himself, with which the Persian empire concluded for many ages. After the battle of Arbela, which was decisive in favour of Alexander, the latter took and plundered Persepolis, from whence he marched into Media, in order to pursue Darius, who had fled to Ecbatan the capital of that province. This unhappy prince had still an army of 30,000 foot, among whom were 4000 Greeks, who continued faithful to the last. Besides these, he had 4000 slingers and 3000 horse, most of them Bactrians, and commanded by Bessus governor of Bactria. When Darius heard that Alexander was marching to Ecbatan, he retired into Bactria, with a design to raise another army; but soon after, changing his mind, he determined to venture a battle with the forces he still had left. On this Bessus governor of Bactria, and Nabarzanes a Persian lord of great distinction, formed a conspiracy against him, proposing to seize his person, and, if Alexander pursued them, to gain his friendship and protection by betraying their master into his hands; but if they escaped, their design was to murder him, and usurp the crown. The troops were easily gained over, by representing to them the desperate situation of Darius's affairs; but Darius himself, though informed of their proceedings, and solicited to trust his person among the Greeks, refused to give credit to the report, or follow such a salutary coun- Darius sei sel. The consequence of this was, that he was in a few zed by his days seized by the traitors; who, out of respect to the own sub

royal jects,

45

1