CHAPTER XI.

DETERIORATION OF CHARACTER.

B.C. 329

Alexander at the summit of his ambition.--Sad changes.--Alexander becomes dissipated.--His officers became estranged.--Character of Parmenio.--His services to Alexander.--Parmenio's son, Philotas.--His dissolute character.--Conspiracies.--Plot of Dymnus.--Dymnus destroys himself.--Philotas suspected.--The council of officers.--Philotas accused.--Arrest of Philotas.--The body of Dymnus.--Alexander's address to the army.--Philotas brought to trial.--Defense of Philotas.--He is put to the torture.--Confession of Philotas.--He is stoned to death.--Parmenio condemned to death.--Mission of Polydamas.--Precautions.--Brutal murder of Parmenio.--Story of Clitus.--He saves Alexander's life.--Services of Clitus.--Occurrences at the banquet.--Clitus reproaches Alexander.--Alexander's rage.--Alexander assassinates Clitus.--His remorse.

Alexander was now twenty-six years of age. He had accomplished fully the great objects which had been the aim of his ambition. Darius was dead, and he was himself the undisputed master of all western Asia. His wealth was almost boundless. His power was supreme over what was, in his view, the whole known world. But, during the process of rising to this ascendency, his character was sadly changed. He lost the simplicity, the temperance, the moderation, and the sense of justice which characterized his early years. He adopted the dress and the luxurious manners of the Persians. He lived in the palaces of the Persian kings, imitating all their state and splendor. He became very fond of convivial entertainments and of wine, and often drank to excess. He provided himself a seraglio of three hundred and sixty young females, in whose company he spent his time, giving himself up to every form of effeminacy and dissipation. In a word, he was no longer the same man. The decision, the energy of character, the steady pursuit of great ends by prudence, forethought, patient effort, and self-denial, all disappeared; nothing now seemed to interest him but banquets, carousals, parties of pleasure, and whole days and nights spent in dissipation and vice.

Based on the article and the following list of answers, write a list of questions.

1. He had accomplished fully the great objects
2. Alexander
3. Yes
4. Darius
5. Yes
6. Yes
7. He lost the simplicity, the temperance, the moderation, and the sense of justice which characterized his early year
8. Yes the Persians
9. unknown
10. lived in the palaces of the Persian kings
11. No
12. Yes
13. Often drank to excess
14. no
15. Three hundred and sixty young females
16. No
17. Parties of pleasure
18. twenty-six years of age
19. himself the undisputed master of all western Asia
20. Darius
1. Who was successful?
2. WHat was his name?
3. Had anyone stood in his way?
4. Who?
5. Did he defeat this obstacle?
6. Did his victories alter him in any way?
7. How so?
8. Was there a culture he particularly admired?
9. Did he stay in his homeland?
10. Where did he go live?
11. Did he live a simple life there?
12. Did he like big celebrations?
13. What was one thing he did at those events?
14. Did he stay faithful to one woman?
15. How many women did he keep around?
16. Did he keep working hard?
17. What did he do instead?
18. How old was he at this time?
19. WHat did he accomplish before all of these changes?
20. Did he have any real rivals?