Philip, Alexander, And the Diadochi
Who would not disapprove of such bitterness and intemperance of language in an historian? It is not only because
his words contradict his opening statement that he deserves
stricture; but also because he has libelled the king and his
friends; and still more because his falsehood is expressed in
disgusting and unbecoming words. If he had been speaking
of Sardanapalus, or one of his associates, he could hardly have
ventured to use such foul language; and what that monarch's
principles and debauchery were in his lifetime we gather from
the inscription on his tomb, which runs thus:
“"The joys I had from love or wine
Or dainty meats—those now are mine."
”
But when speaking of Philip and his friends, a man ought to be
on his guard, not so much of accusing them of effeminacy and
want of courage, or still more of shameless immorality, but on
the contrary lest he should prove unequal to express their praises
in a manner worthy of their manliness, indefatigable energy,
and the general virtue of their character.
The vigorous characters of the Diadochi. |
It is notorious that
by their energy and boldness they raised the
Macedonian Empire from a most insignificant
monarchy to the first rank in reputation and
extent. And, putting aside the achievements of Philip, what
was accomplished by them after his death, under the rule
of Alexander, has secured for them a reputation for valour
with posterity universally acknowledged. For although a large
share of the credit must perhaps be given to Alexander, as
the presiding genius of the whole, though so young a man;
yet no less is due to his coadjutors and friends, who won many
wonderful victories over the enemy; endured numerous desperate labours, dangers and sufferings; and, though put into
possession of the most ample wealth, and the most abundant
means of gratifying all their desires, never lost their bodily
vigour by these means, or contracted tastes for violence or
debauchery. On the contrary, all those who were associated
with Philip, and afterwards with Alexander, became truly royal in
greatness of soul, temperance of life, and courage. Nor is it
necessary to mention any names: but after Alexander's death,
in their mutual rivalries for the possession of various parts of
nearly all the world, they filled a very large number of histories
with the record of their glorious deeds. We may admit then
that the bitter invective of the historian Timaeus against
Agathocles, despot of
Sicily, though it seems unmeasured, has
yet some reason in it,—for it is directed against a personal
enemy, a bad man, and a tyrant; but that of Theopompus is
too scurrilous to be taken seriously.
