Page 573 But because some Writers differ as to the Cause and Manner of his Death, affirming that he was poison'd by a deadly Potion given him; it's necessary to relate what they have reported concerning this matter. They say that Antipater, whom Alexander had made his Viceroy in Europe, fell out with Olympias the King's Mother, of which at first no great matter was made, because the King would not hear any of the Accusations against him. But afterwards the Quarrels and Heart-burnings growing higher and higher, the King, out of his Piety and Awe to the Gods, conceiv'd it his Duty to gratifie his Mother; whereupon he gave many apparent Signs and Tokens of the Alienation of his Affections from Antipater. And as further Fuel to the Flame, the putting to death Parmenio and Philotas, did not a little terrifie and afright the Nobility. And therefore it's said he order'd his Son, who was Alexander's Cupbearer, to put Poison into his Wine: But because he was a Man of great Power in Europe after the Death of Alexander, and that Cassander his Son succeeded him in the Kingdom, many Historians durst not say any thing in their Writings of Poison. However, it's very apparent that Cassander was a great Enemy to the Concerns of Alexander: For he suffer'd the Body of Olympias, after she was murder'd, to lie with Disdain unbury'd; and he made it his great Business to re-edifie Thebes, which Alexander had raz'd to the Ground.
When the King was dead, Sisigambris, the Mother of Darius, with abundance of Tears bewail'd the Death of Alexander, and her own desolate Condition upon that account; insomuch, as to the last Minute, she would neither eat, nor see the Light; and so the Fifth Day after died of Hunger in extream Sorrow, but with as much Glory and Reputation.
Having now brought down our History to the Death of Alexander, as we design'd in the Beginning of this, we shall proceed to give an Account of the Acts of his Successors in the following Books.