[443] Cf. Strabo, xv. 3.
[444] πλεονεκτούμενοι, with dative, defrauded of. Cf. Demosthenes, 1035, 26.
[445] γέρα. An Homeric expression.
[446] Named Sisygambis (Curtius, v. 11).
[447] This was the Araxes. See Strabo, xv. 3.
[448] Notice the use of the adverb πρίν with the genitive, instead of the preposition πρό. Cf. Pindar (Pythia, iv. 76) πρὶν ὥρας.
[449] Curtius (v. 16) says that Ariobarzanes after a bloody contest got away through the Macedonian lines, with about 40 horsemen and 5,000 foot, and made for Persepolis. Being shut out of that fortress, he was overtaken and slain with all his companions. Cf. Diodorus (xvii. 68).
[450] Diodorus (xvii. 69) and Justin (xi. 14) state that on approaching Persepolis, Alexander met 800 Grecian captives, mutilated by loss of arms, legs, eyes, ears, or other members. Curtius (v. 17-19) says there were 4,000 of them. Alexander offered to send these men home, with means of future support; but they preferred to remain in Persis. The king gave them money, clothing, cattle, and land.
[451] Diodorus (xvii. 71) and Curtius (v. 20) both state that the amount of treasure captured at Persepolis was 120,000 talents, or £27,600,000. In his own letter Alexander stated that there was sufficient treasure and valuable property to load 10,000 mule carts and 5,000 camels (Plutarch, Alex., 37). Curtius tells us that 6,000 talents were captured at Pasargadae.
[452] Pasargadae was the old capital of Persia, founded by Cyrus; but its place was afterwards taken by Persepolis.