thenes is banished. The Macedonian foldiers make an insurrection, which Alexander appeafes. He recalls Anti- pater from Macedonia, and fends Cra- terus in his room. The king's forrow for the death of Hephæftion ... 254 SECT. XVIII. Alexander enters Babylon, contrary to the finifter predictions of the magi and other foothfayers. He there forms the plans of feveral voyages and conquefts. He fets about repairing the breaches made in the piers of the Tigris and Euphrates, and rebuilding the temple of Belus. He abandons himself to im. moderate drinking, which brings him to his end. The univerfal grief fpread over the whole empire upon that ac- count. Syfigambis is not able to fur- vive him. Preparations are made to BOOK BOOK THE FIFTEENTH. THE HISTORY OF ALEXANDE R. SECT. I. Alexander's birth. The Temple of Ephefus is burned the fame day. The happy natural inclinations of that prince. Ariftotle is appointed his preceptor, who infpires him with a furprising tafle for learning. He breaks Bucephalus. a ALEXANDER came into the world the first year of the CVIth Olympiad. The very day he came into the world, the celebrated temple of Diana in Ephefus was burnt. The reader knows, without doubt, that it was one of the feven wonders of the world. It had been built in the name, and at the expence of all Afia Minor. A great number of* years were employed in building it. Its length was four hundred and twenty-five feet, and its breadth two hundred and twenty. It was fupported by an · hundred and twenty-feven columns, threescore feet high, which fo many + kings had caufed to be wrought at a great expence, and by the moft excellent artists, who endeavoured to excel one another on this occafion. The VOL. VI. B reft a A. M. 3648. Ant. J. C. 356. Plin. 1. xxxvi. c. 14. Pliny fays two hundred and twenty years, which is not probable + Anciently moft cities were governed by their particular king. |