THE MURDER OF CLITUS.
Here also I shall give an account of the tragic fate of Clitus, son
of Dropidas, and of Alexander’s mishap in regard to it. Though it
occurred a little while after this, it will not be out of place here. The
Macedonians kept a day sacred to Dionysus, and on that day Alexander
used to offer sacrifice to him every year. But they say that on this
occasion he was neglectful of Dionysus,[538] and sacrificed to the
Dioscūri[539] instead; for he had resolved to offer sacrifice to those
deities for some reason or other. When the drinking-party on this
occasion had already gone on too long (for Alexander had now made
innovations even in regard to drinking, by imitating the custom of
foreigners), and in the midst of the carouse a discussion had arisen
about the Dioscuri, how their procreation had been taken away from
Tyndareus and ascribed to Zeus, some of those present, in order to
flatter Alexander, maintained that Polydeuces and Castor were in no way
worthy to compare with him who had performed so many exploits. Such men
have always corrupted the character of kings and will never cease to
ruin the interests of those who happen to be reigning.[540] In their
carousal they did not even abstain from (comparing him with) Heracles;
saying that envy prevented the living from receiving the honours due
to them from their associates. It was well known that Clitus had
long been vexed at Alexander for the change in his style of living
in imitation of foreign kings, and at those who flattered him with
their speech. At that time also, being heated with wine, he would not
permit them either to insult the deity or, by depreciating the deeds
of the ancient heroes, to confer upon Alexander a gratification which
deserved no thanks. He affirmed Alexander’s deeds were neither in fact
so great or marvellous as they represented in their laudation; nor had
he achieved them by himself, but for the most part they were the deeds
of the Macedonians. The delivery of this speech annoyed Alexander; and
I do not commend it, for I think, in such a drunken bout, it would
have been sufficient if, so far as he was personally concerned, he
had kept silence, and not committed the error of indulging in the
same flattery as the others. But when some even mentioned Philip’s
actions without exercising a just judgment, declaring that he had
performed nothing great or marvellous, they gratified Alexander; but
Clitus being then no longer able to contain himself, began to put
Philip’s achievements in the first rank, and to depreciate Alexander
and his performances.[541] Clitus being now quite intoxicated, made
other insolent remarks and even greatly reviled him, because forsooth
he had saved his life, when the cavalry battle had been fought with
the Persians at the Granicus. Then indeed, arrogantly stretching out
his right hand, he said:—“This hand, O Alexander, preserved thee
on that occasion.” Alexander could now no longer endure the drunken
insolence of Clitus; but jumped up against him in a great rage. He was
however restrained by his boon-companions. As Clitus did not desist
from his insulting remarks, Alexander shouted out a summons for his
shield-bearing guards to attend him; but when no one obeyed him, he
said that he was reduced to the same position as Darius, when he was
led about under arrest by Bessus and his adherents, and that he now
possessed the mere name of king. Then his companions were no longer
able to restrain him; for according to some he leaped up and snatched a
javelin from one of his confidential body-guards; according to others,
a long pike from one of his ordinary guards, with which he struck
Clitus and killed him.[542] Aristobulus does not say whence the drunken
quarrel originated, but asserts that the fault was entirely on the side
of Clitus, who, when Alexander had got so enraged with him as to jump
up against him with the intention of making an end of him, was led away
by Ptolemy, son of Lagus, the confidential body-guard, through the
gateway, beyond the wall and ditch of the citadel where the quarrel
occurred. He adds that Clitus could not control himself, but went back
again, and falling in with Alexander who was calling out for Clitus, he
exclaimed:—“Alexander, here is Clitus!” Thereupon he was struck with a
long pike and killed.