Page 791 he sacrific'd to Bacchus; since it was not displeasing to him that that misfortune should be imputed rather to the Anger of the God, than to his own wickedness.
AS to the Adoration of Alexander, how Calisthenes oppos'd him, and what relates to it, 'tis reported, That it was agreed between Alexander and the Sophisters, and some of the Nobility of the Medes and Persians that attended upon him, that in the time of their Feasting a Discourse should be started concerning this matter. Anaxarchus was the Person that began, and declar'd, That Alexander had more right to be accounted a God than either Bacchus or Hercules, not only for the greatness of his Noble Actions, but because Bacchus was a Theban, a meer Stranger, having no Communication with the Macedonians; and Hercules was of Argos, as much a Stranger as the other, save that Alexander was of the same Stock, for he was from the Heraclides; and 'tis far more just and equal for the Macedonians to adore their own King with Divine Honours than any other. And no doubt (he said) was to be made but they wou'd pay to him Divine Honours when he was dead; therefore 'tis much better to adore him as a God while he was alive, than when he was dead, when their Divine Worship of him would be of no advantage to him. When these and other things to the same purpose were said by Anaxarchus, those who were of the same Pack praised all that was spoken, and declar'd they would forthwith Adore him: But many of the Macedonians, who condemn'd Anaxarchus's Speech, held their peace. But Calisthenes in the midst of the Silence spoke thus:
Indeed, Anaxarchus, I count not Alexander unworthy of any Honour (how great soever it be) that is fit to be ascrib'd to Men; but there are prescrib'd Differences amongst Men between Divine and Human Honours, amongst many others in the Building of Temples and Erecting of Statues; for to the Gods we consecrate Oratories, offer Sacrifices and drink Offerings: To the Gods are sung Hymns; Men are prais'd, but not ador'd: Kisses in Salutations are given to Men, but the Gods are plac'd on high, and 'tis not lawful to touch 'em; and therefore they are worshipp'd with Adoration. Solemn Times of Dancings are perform'd to the Gods, and Paeans sung to them. Neither is it to be wonder'd at, inasmuch as the Honours given to the Gods are various; some sort of Honours given to one, and others to another (especially those Honours of later time.) Nay; those Honours given to some of the Hero's differ from Divine Honours. 'Tis not therefore fit to confound these things, nor to advance Men above themselves and all Mankind besides, and to degrade the Gods, by Worshipping them with the same Worship wherewith we adore Men. Alexander himself would not suffer any private Man to usurp the Regal Dignity and Honours due to himself, though he gain'd 'em by the unjust Suffrages of the People; much more justly therefore may the Gods be angry if any mortal Man assume to himself Divine Honours, or accept of them from others. However, let Alexander be esteem'd (as in truth he is) by many degrees the most Valiant of them that are Valiant, the greatest King amongst all other Kings, and amongst Generals the most Worthy to Command. But as for thee, Anaxarchus, 'tis thy Duty above any other to instruct Alexander in these things that have been spoken, and to d •ter him from the contrary; for thy Conversation he daily makes use of, in order to improve in Wisdom and Learning. Neither does it become thee to be the beginner of this Discourse, but rather to remember that thou art not advising Cambyses or Xerxes, but the Son of Philip, descended from Hercules and Achilles, whose Ancestors came out of Argos into Macedonia, and maintain'd their Empire not by Arbitrary Power, but by Ruling according to the Laws and Customs of the Macedonians. But Divine Houours were not confevr'd upon Hercules himself by the Grecians while he was living, nay nor when he was dead, before the Oracle at Delphos commanded that he should be worshipp'd as a God. But if there be but few that are in the Country of the Barbarians, we ought to entertain the same Sentiments with them. And I earnestly entreat thee, Alexander, to remember Greece, for whose sake this Expedition was undertaken by thee, in order to add Asia to Greece: And now consider whether when you return thither, you can be able to compel the free People of Greece to adore you as a God, or (excepting them of Greece) you can impose this Dishonour and Slavery upon the Macedonians only, or whether it be fit that quite different Honours be there allow'd you; being the Grecians confer only those that are Human, according to the Custom and Manner of the Greeks, when at the same time only the Barbarians worship you as a God after the manner of Barbarians. But if it be objected, That Cyrus Son of Cambyses was the first of all mortal Men that was ador'd by Men as a God, ana that since that time this Adoration has continued amongst the Medes and Persians; yet you are to consider how his Pride was curb'd by the Scythians,