Our attention will now again he chiefly occupied with the affairs of Greece. The connection indeed between the events, which took place there, and the contests carried on by Alexander's successors in Asia, becomes henceforward so close, that it will be necessary to keep both constantly in view: the latter however, as subordinate to the proper subject of our history. Before we turn to it, we must proceed as far as the first settlement that was made of the great interests, which were left in so much confusion and uncertainty by the sudden vacancy of the Macedonian throne.

It may easily be believed, that Alexander's death was sincerely deplored by all around him, whose immediate interest was not too deeply affected by it to allow room for grief. When the royal pages, unable to contain their excitement, rushed out of the palace with loud wailings, and made the event generally known, the whole city soon resounded with the voice of lamentation. The Macedonians mourned for their hero, the Persians for their king. Many and various were the honours afterwards paid to Alexander's memory, by word and work, in monuments and spectacles, in smooth verse and well turned periods: but the most honourable tribute was offered by Sisygambis, the mother of Darius.