great honour.

Sure it is, that he was a steadfast enemy to the Macedonians, therefore discretion required that he should be cut off.

The matters of Athens being thus ordered, the chief command was left in the hands of Phocion, a virtuous man, and lover of his country, yet applying himself to the necessity of the times; by which commendations he had both at other times done the city much good, and now procured this peace, which (though grievous to freemen, yet favourable to the vanquished) he endeavoured carefully to pre

serve.

SECT. VII.

How Craterus and Antipater were drawn from their Ætolian wars into Asia. The grounds of the first civil war between the Macedonian lords.

SO Antipater with Craterus returned into Macedonia, where they strengthened their friendship with a new alliance, Craterus taking Phila, the daughter of Antipater, to wife.

Shortly after, they went against the Etolians, whose poverty was not so easily daunted, as the luxurious wealth of the more powerful state of Athens had been. Their country was rough and mountainous, having many places of great fastness, into which they conveyed such of their goods as they most esteemed, and of their people as were least fit for war with the rest they fortified the strongest of their cities, and so abode the coming of the Macedonians, whom they manfully resisted. With great obstinacy did the Macedonians contend against the difficulties of the places, which the Etolians made good as long as their victuals held out. But when Craterus had shut up all passages, and utterly debarred them of relief, then were they put to a miserable choice, either to descend from their strong holds, and fight upon equal ground with unequal numbers, or to endure the miseries of hunger and cold, against which they could make no long resistance, or to yield themselves to the Macedonians; who, incensed by the loss of many good soldiers, were not like to leave so stubborn enemies in

places which might give confidence to rebellion. In cases of extremity, much fineness of wit, apprehending all circumstances of danger, commonly doth more hurt than a blunt consideration of that only which at the present is in hand. These Ætolians did not as yet want meat, but their enemies daily molested them; wherefore as yet they thought upon nothing but fighting. Fortune was gracious to their courage. For such news came out of Asia into the Macedonian camp, as made Antipater and Craterus think every hour a month, till they had rid their hands of these Ætolians, giving them whatsoever conditions they would ask; yet with purpose to call them to severe account, yea to root them out of Greece by death or by captivity, when once they should have settled the affairs of Asia, as they hoped and desired. But of men's purposes God is the disposer; in whose high council it was ordained, that this poor nation should continue a troublesome bar to the proceedings of Macedon and Greece, and (when time had ripened the next monarchy) an open gate to let the Roman conquerors into those and other provinces. Likewise concerning the matters of Asia, the reformation intended by Antipater and Craterus was so far from taking effect, that it served merely as an introduction to all the civil wars ensuing.

The grounds of the Asiatic expedition, which did set the world in an uproar, were these. Antipater and Craterus were of Alexander's captains the mightiest in reputation; the one, in regard of his ancient precedency and the present rule which he bare in the parts of Europe; the other, as of all men the best beloved and most respected, both of Alexander and of the whole army. Next unto these had Perdiccas been, whom the advantage of his presence at the king's death did make equal or superior to either of these, if not to both together. The first intents of Perdiccas were to have consorted with these two, and to have been with them a third partner in the government of all; to which purpose he entertained the discourse of marriage with one of Antipater's daughters. But feeling in short space the strength of that gale of wind which bore him up, he began D d

RALEGH, VOL. III.

to take wing, and soar quite another way. Aridæus was a very simple man, yet served well enough to wear the title of that majesty, whereof Perdiccas being administrator, and hoping to become proprietary, the practice was more severe than had been in the days of Alexander; the desire to seem terrible being very familiar with weak princes and their ambitious officers, who know no other means of preserving themselves from contempt, and of giving such a fiery lustre to their actions, as may dazzle the eyes of the beholders. How cruelly the poor Greeks in the Higher Asia were all put to the sword; and how tyrannously the king and princes of Cappadocia were crucified, hath already been shewed. The Pisidians were the next who felt the wrath of these counterfeit Alexanders. One city of theirs was utterly rased; the children sold for slaves, and all the rest massacred. The Isaurians, by this example grown desperate, when after two or three days trial they found themselves unable to continue the defence, locked themselves into their houses, and set the town on fire, into the flame whereof the young men did throw themselves, after that they had a while repelled the Macedonians from the walls.

These exploits being performed, the army had no other work than to sift the ashes of the burnt city for gold and silver; but Perdiccas had business of greater importance troubling his brains. Nothing was more contrary to his ends, than to sit still without employment; letting his soldiers grow idle about him, whilst others grew great, and took deep root in their several provinces. He purposed therefore to transport his forces into Europe, under pretence of bringing the king into Macedonia, the seat of his ancestors, and head of the empire. The king's presence would make the offices of his viceroys (during the time) actually void; Antipater with Craterus being once in case of private men, and only Perdiccas holding authority, the match with Cleopatra might easily be made. So should greatness meet with a good title; and what more could be wished? Some impediment the power of Ptolomy might

give, who held Egypt, well fortified with men, but much better with love of the people; yet if the business prospered in Macedonia, like enough it was that either Ptolomy would follow of himself, or be driven to come to reason. Antigonus likewise then governing in Phrygia, a busy-headed man, and ill affected to the side, was to be looked into, and made away, for fear of further trouble. So thought Perdiccas; and was deceived in so thinking. Antigonus was as good a man of war, of as deep a judgment, as high a spirit, and as great undertaking, as any of Alexander's captains. His employments had been less than some of theirs, which made him also the less respected. But his thoughts were as proud as theirs; for he valued himself by his own worth, not by the opinions of other men: with careful attention had he watched Perdiccas, and sounded the depth of his purposes, which it was now high time to discover: for Perdiccas having with a jealous eye pried into the demeanour of Antigonus, and finding him no way fit for his turn, caused him to be charged with such accusations as might suffice to take away his life, especially by a judge that sought his death. This device Antigonus would not seem to perceive, but prepared himself in show to make answer, indeed to make escape, which easily he did, putting himself and his son Demetrius aboard of some Athenian galleys, that carried him to Antipater, laden with such tidings as finished the Ætolian war before mentioned.

As the coming of Antigonus made Craterus and Antipater manifestly perceive their own danger; so his flight gave Perdiccas to understand that his intentions were laid open, and must now be justified by the sword. Therefore he prepared as fast as he could, not only for defence, but (as having on his side the king's name) to meet with them at home, who were nothing slack in providing to encounter him. Ptolomy being advertised of these proceedings, and considering how nearly they concerned him, sided with Antipater. To his government of Egypt he had annexed the dominion of Cyrene, not without consent of the chief citizens; and now in the midst of these garboils he celebrated

the funeral of Alexander with great solemnity, purchasing thereby to himself much good-will and many partakers, notwithstanding the terrible report of the king's army coming against him.

SECT. VIII.

Perdiccas's voyage into Egypt, and his death.

PERDICCAS, uncertain which way to bend his main power, at length resolved to set upon Ptolomy; leaving Eumenes to keep to his use, against Craterus and Antipater, the parts of Asia bordering upon Europe.

It may seem strange, that he did not rather make head against those who were to come out of Greece with a great number, and of more able men than Ptolomy could bring. Perhaps he thought to make a quick end with Ptolomy; or believed that Craterus would not be ready for him soon enough. Sure it is that he took a bad course, and made it worse with ill handling.

Ptolomy by his sweet behaviour allured many to his party, without help of any bad arts. Perdiccas contrariwise was full of insolency, which never faileth to be rewarded with hatred, that is truly defined, An affection founded upon opinion of an unjust contempt. The whole story of his proceedings in Egypt is not worth relating; for he did nothing of importance, but (as a wilful man) tired his followers, and wasted them in hard enterprises without success. His most forcible attempt was upon a little town called the Camels' Wall; thither he marched by night, with more haste than good speed; for Ptolomy preventing him, did put himself into the place, where behaving himself not only as a good commander, but as a stout soldier, he gave the foil to Perdiccas, causing him to retire with loss, after a vehement but vain assault continued one whole day. The night following, Perdiccas made another journey, (which was his last,) and came to the divisions of Nilus, over against Memphis. There with much difficulty he began to pass over his army into an island, where he meant to encamp. The current was strong, the water deep, and hardly fordable. Wherefore he placed his elephants above