'Some years travels into divers parts of Africa, and Asia the great. Describing more particularly the empires of Persia and Industan: interwoven with such remarkable occurrences as hapned in those parts during these later times. As also, many other rich and famous kingdoms in the oriental India, with the isles adjacent. Severally relating their religion, language, customs and habit: as also proper observations concerning them.' [‎245] (268/448)

Darius ult. ekBed
Ochus his third Son was crowned King; who during his fix and twenty years rule
adedas many tragqne parts asthe worft of his predeccllbrs eyer did: fo as of him 'tis
laid Null a nonjanguinis-, nonfexits, non at at is mifericordia termotm eft. And for Exanrnle
n0 "° nt K < ; nt ^' th r th f perfecution he made abroad againft which he reduced'
and the blood he Ipilt in the conqueft of India,BaUria, Syria, and Cywm where he save little
quarterat home he inconfiderately,made away his-two Brethren ; and as he was con-
mving more bloodfhed was himfelf cut fliort by Bagoas the Eunuch, who finding it im-
poffible toafcend the Throne, mounted the right Heir Arfames thereon, whom neverthe-
lels he loon after Hew fearing he would revenge his Fathers death. In this unhappy Prince
the Royal Race otCyrus the great took end, having ruled the Empire about two
hundred and thirty years. 1
Bajroaszlheit of great power Wcis neverthelefs fo hateful to the fubjed by reafon of his
trealonable pradifes that he faw it was in vain in his own behalf to attempt the Crown •
lo that not knowing how to fecure himfelf better than by obliging his Friend he pitched
upon Cctdomanm who at that time was Lieutenant of Armenia by Commiffion from the
late King. Codomanus neverthelefs was of the Blood of Kings, and of fuch noted va
lour and courtefie that it was no fooner propofed than generally approved of. Having
the Royal Scepter in his hand,according to cuftome he aifumed the name the better
to ingratiate himfelf with the people who had that name in veneration. This is he whom
the Greeks call Vltimm Dariw, the Perfians Farvm or Covecheck^ from his mif-fortune rather
than want of prowefs, in which and other Princely Vertues he was equal to any of the
greateft Monarchs preceeded him. But the Supream who from his higheft Thrones dif-
pofes of Monarchies and States as to his Divine Wifdom feems beft, fet a period unto
this; as fore-told by the Prophet Daniel chap. 11. verf. 2. And in order thereto, albeit
Philip the Father of Alexander fo foon as he could prevail with the Grecian States to be
their Captain General had invaded part of thelefler Afia by Parmenio his Lieutenant Ge
neral and Attains his Field-Marfhal, and laid a Foundation for Alexanders Profecution
of the Per ft an War; neverthelefs, wasfooppofed by Memnon a Khodian Officer under
Darius that Philip made but little progrefs in that Work: for the defign was laid afide
upon that unhappy death of Philip who was flain by Paufanias a Macedonian Youth whom
Attalus againft nature hadabufed, and being complained on to Philip receiving but a
fleight return provoked the young man in a treafonable way to vent his paffion upon the
King. So that it appeared, the overthrow of the Perfian Monarchy was clearly defign-
ed for Alexander, Who no fooner had compofed his domeftick broils at home which
gained the Son the fame reputation with the Grecian Princes and States the Father had,
to retaliate the Perfian for the many invaiions and vexations they had given Greece, but
principally to quench his, ambitious thirft and to give the reins to his boundlefs fpirit,
he firft difpofed of his own Kingdom to Antipaters truft, and then diftributed moll of
that he had amongft his Friends, giving this reafon to Parmenio, Spes fola & Afia mihl
[efficient.
Inconfiderable was the number he raifed for fo great a task, not exceeding thirty
thoufand Foot, five thoufand Horfe, and one hundred and eighty Ships ^ which never
thelefs exprelfed thegreatnefs of his mind : yet notwithftanding in this is hot to be too
much cenfured, feeing what his Army fell ihortfor number and bravery wasfupplied by
courage and skill, moft of them being Veterane Souldiers who had received many ho
nourable fears in the Wars under Philip his Vidorious Father, Vt milites & militia Magiflri
fiiermt : Whereas on the contrary, albeit Darius infinitely exceeded Alexander in num
bers and wealth, and that through long peace and plenty moll of them were richly clad
and delicately fed; yet withal were given over to luxury and grown effeminate.
Alexander (whom the Perfians call Scander and Alcander) then croifrng the Hellespont 9
gave defiance to the Perfians by throwing a Dart. He landed without much oppofition, and
had leilure to offer a folemn facrifice upon Achilles his Anceftors Tomb. The firft encounter
he received was near the River Graniens which divides the Trojan Territories from the
Propnotis in the Adrafflian Field: the more noted place this is,not onely from this fi rft battel
witn the Perfians, but-for that Pompey the great at Stella near this place defeated Mithri-
datesthe great King of Pontus^nd Tamberlane the like to Bajaz.et with his five hundred thou
fand men, of which,two hundred thoufand loft their lives that day in the field. In this firft
fight Spithridates the Perfian General performed the part of a gallant Commander •, never-
thelefs,being flain the reft fled i Qmos terror e Nominis magis quam Armis vicit, faith Pint arch
concerning Alexander. The Vidory was Alexanders^-, who in that fight expreffed fo
much skill as well as valour, that the glory of the day was wholly his. Of the Perfians
fell above twenty thoufand lays Quintus CnrtiuSy Plutarch reduces them to two thoufand y