Life of Alexander, 1.29.4

Plutarch  translated by Bernadotte Perrin

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4When Dareius sent to him a letter and friends,[55] begging him to accept ten thousand talents as ransom for the captives, to hold all the territory this side of the Euphrates, to take one of his daughters in marriage, and on these terms to be his ally and friend, Alexander imparted the matter to his companions. “If I were Alexander,” said Parmenio, “I would accept these terms.” “And so indeed would I,” said Alexander, “were I Parmenio.” But to Dareius he wrote: “Come to me, and thou shalt receive every courtesy; but otherwise I shall march at once against thee.”[56]

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Notes

  • [55] This was during the siege of Tyre, according to Arrian (Anab. ii. 25. 1).

  • [56] This was but the conclusion of an arrogant letter. Cf. Arrian, Anab. ii. 25, 3.