So much connection is generally placed between some of the prophetic
writings of the Bible and the destruction of the city of Babylon,
that we have deemed it necessary to quote in the preceding siege
considerably from an established historian on that point. But we
must remember that the Scriptures, though intended for the blessing
of mankind, are Hebrew books, and that the Jews of the time of the
Prophets principally adduced, could not be expected to speak otherwise
than they have done against their masters the Babylonians. That the
ruin of this great city was not so sudden or so complete is proved by
its being able to sustain the siege of which we are about to speak.
Babylon endured with great impatience the yoke of the Persians, and
made a strong effort to break its chains, in the reign of Darius, son
of Hystaspes. After four years of secret necessary preparation, the
Babylonians raised the standard of revolt and provisioned their city.
In order to economize their food, they adopted the barbarous precaution
of exterminating all useless mouths; they strangled both the women and
the children, only permitting the citizens to preserve such of their
wives as they were most attached to, and a single maid-servant. From
the height of their walls, the besieged, proud of the strength of
their ramparts and their murderous magazines, insulted the Persians
in the most opprobrious manner. During eighteen months, every art of
war, with the valour of a warlike nation, were vainly employed against
the revolted city. Darius was beginning to despair of success, when
Zopyrus, one of the greatest nobles of Persia, presented himself before
him, covered with blood, and with his nose and ears cut off. “Who has
treated you thus?” exclaimed the king. “Yourself, my lord,” replied
Zopyrus, “and my desire to serve you.” He then explained his design to
him, and the plan he had formed to deliver up Babylon to him. Filled
with surprise and admiration, Darius gave him liberty to pursue his
own course, with a promise to second him. Zopyrus proceeded towards
the city, and, on gaining the walls, entreated refuge for one of the
victims of the cruelty of Darius, exhibited his wounds, and solicited
permission to avenge himself upon an enemy with whose designs he was
fully acquainted. His blood and his wounds removed all suspicion;
the citizens confided in his word, his courage, and what he termed
his misfortunes, and they put him in command of as many troops as
he demanded. In the first sortie, he and his band killed a thousand
Persians; some days after, two thousand; a third, four thousand strewed
the field of battle. Babylon resounded with the praises of Zopyrus;
he was termed the preserver of the city. He was made generalissimo
of the troops, and the guarding of the walls was intrusted to him.
At the time agreed upon, Darius drew close to Babylon; the faithful
Zopyrus opened its gates to his master, and placed in his hands a city
which he might never have obtained by famine or force. The king loaded
Zopyrus with honours, and gave him, for life, the revenue of the city
his stratagem had been the means of subduing. When contemplating the
physical deficiencies his devotion had created, the grateful monarch
was accustomed to say he would rather miss the taking of ten Babylons
than permit so faithful a servant to mutilate himself in that manner.
In order to prevent similar revolts, great part of the walls were
destroyed, and the hundred gates were removed.
Of the importance Babylon retained nearly two hundred years after the
above event, we may judge by the splendour of Alexander’s triumphal
entrance into that city. Babylon was given up to the Macedonian
conqueror immediately after the battle of Arbela, without the trouble
of drawing a sword. The reputation of his victories gained him many
such bloodless conquests. As it is not a siege, it does not come within
our plan to relate more concerning the surrender of this city; but we
are sure our younger readers will excuse our departure from our course,
to describe the above-named triumph.
Alexander entered the city at the head of his whole army, as if he
had been marching to a battle. The walls of Babylon were lined with
people, notwithstanding the greatest part of the citizens were gone out
to meet him, from the impatience they had to see their new sovereign,
whose renown had outstripped his march. Bazophanes, governor of the
fortress and guardian of the treasures, strewed the streets with
flowers, and raised on both sides of the way silver altars, which
smoked not only with frankincense, but the most fragrant perfumes of
every kind. Last of all came the presents which were to be made to
the king; consisting of herds of cattle, a great many horses, with
lions and panthers in iron cages. After these the Magi walked, singing
hymns in the manner of their country; then the Chaldeans, accompanied
by Babylonian soothsayers and musicians; the latter being accustomed
to sing the praises of their kings to their instruments, and the
Chaldeans to observe the motions of the planets and the vicissitudes
of the seasons. The rear was brought up by the Babylonish cavalry,
of which both men and horses were so sumptuous that imagination can
scarcely conceive their magnificence. The king commanded the people
to walk after his infantry, whilst he, surrounded by his guards, and
seated on a chariot, entered the city, and rode to the palace in a
kind of triumph. The next day he took a view of all Darius’s money and
moveables, and divided the immense wealth he found, with a liberal
hand, amongst his army; both leaders and the meanest foot-soldiers
shared in the rich prize, which only made them the more anxious to
follow their great captain to new conquests.
Of the nearly fatal effects of the luxury of Babylon upon Alexander and
his army it is not our province to speak.