Antipater to employ an armed force against such cities as should refuse to obey. This letter was read in the assembly. But the Athenians and Etolians did not think themselves obliged to put orders in execution, which seemed to interfere with their liberty. Finding Babylon, in extent and conveniency, superior to all the other cities of the East, he resolved to make it the seat of his empire; and, for that purpose, was desirous of adding to it all the ornaments possible. But, though he was much employed in projects of this kind, and in schemes even beyond human power to execute, he spent the greater part of his time in such pleasures as this magnificent city afforded. He was often present at new banquets, where he drank with his usual intemperance.

On a particular occasion, having spent the whole night in a debauch, a second was proposed: he accepted the invitation, and drank to such excess, that he fell upon the floor, to appear. ance dead; and, in this lifeless manner, was carried, a sad spectacle of debauchery, to his palace. The fever continued, with some intervals, in which he gave the necessary orders for the sailing of the fleet, and the marching of the land forces, being persuaded he should soon recover. But, at last, finding himself past all hopes, and his voice beginning to fail, he gave his ring to Perdiccas, with orders to convey his corpse to the temple of Ammon.

He struggled, however, with death, for some time, and raising himself upon his elbow, he gave his hand to the soldiers, who pressed to kiss it. Being then asked to whom he would leave his empire, he answered, "To the most worthy." Perdiccas inquiring at what time he should pay him divine honours, he replied, "When you are happy." With these words, he expired, being thirty-two years and eight months old, of which he had reigned twelve, with more fortune than virtue.

In whatever light we view this monarch, we shall have little to admire, and less to imitate. That courage for which he was celebrated, is but a subordinate virtue; that fortune which still attended him, was but an accidental advantage; that discipline which prevailed in his army, was produced and cultivated by his father; but his intemperance, his cruelty, his vanity, Lis passion for useless conquests, were all his own. His victories, however, served to crown the pyramid of Grecian glory: they served to show to what degree the arts of peace can promote those of war.

In this picture, we view a combination of petty states, by the arts of refinement, growing more than a match for the rest of the world united, and leaving mankind an example of the supe riority of intellect over brutal force. After the death of this monarch, Greece was considered rather as a seminary for the

THE HISTORY OF GREECE.

318 education and promotion of the laws of other nations, than a con federacy for enforcing and promulgating their own.

The successors of Alexander seized upon particular parts of his extensive empire, and what he gained with much fatigue and danger, became a prey to men who sheltered their ambitior under the sanction and glory of his name. They had been taught by him a lesson of pride; and, as he would never suffer an equal his numerous successors could not think of admitting a superior They continued their disputes for dominion, until, in some measure, they destroyed each other; and, as no governments were ever worse conducted, than theirs, so no period of history was ever left in such darkness, doubt, and confusion. The children and relations of Alexander, who became successively prisoners in different hands, all miserably perished: nor was there any cessation of crimes and calamities, or any permanent settlement of the provinces, until the battle of Ipsus, in Phrygia, confirmed Ptolemy in the possession of Egypt, and Seleucus in that of Upper Asia. The issue of the same battle put Cassander in possession of Macedon and Greece; and Lysimachus of severai provinces of Lower Asia, and Thrace.

THE END.

VOCABULARY

Of Proper Names, contained in this History, accentuated, in order to show their right pronunciation.