CHAPTER XX.

MAGNANIMOUS TREATMENT OF THE FAMILY OF DARIUS.

In relation to this subject there is a story current, that soon after

the battle which was fought at Issus between Darius and Alexander, the

eunuch who was guardian of Darius’s wife escaped and came to him. When

Darius saw this man, his first inquiry was, whether his children, wife,

and mother were alive? Ascertaining that they were not only alive, but

were called queens, and enjoyed the same personal service and attention

which they had been accustomed to have with Darius, he thereupon made a

second inquiry, whether his wife was still chaste? When he ascertained

that she remained so, he asked again whether Alexander had not offered

any violence to her to gratify his lust? The eunuch took an oath and

said: “O king, thy wife is just as thou didst leave her; and Alexander

is the best and most chaste of men.” Upon this Darius stretched his

hands towards heaven and prayed as follows:—“O King Zeus,[589] to

whom power has been assigned to regulate the affairs of kings among

men, do thou now protect for me especially the empire of the Persians

and Medes, as indeed thou didst give it to me. But if I am no longer

king of Asia according to thy behest, at any rate do thou hand over my

power to no other man but Alexander.” Thus not even to enemies, I ween,

are chaste actions a matter of unconcern. Oxyartes, hearing that his

children were in the power of Alexander, and that he was treating his

daughter Roxana with respect, took courage and came to him. He was held

in honour at the king’s court, as was natural after such a piece of

good fortune.[590]