Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/542

 516 HISTOBY OF GREECE. late husband and even the latter repeated to him a verse out of Euripides, wherein the fierce Medea, deserted by her husband Jason who had married the daughter of the Corinthian king Kreon, vows to include in her revenge the king himself, together with her husband and his new wife. 1 That the vindictive Olym- pias would positively spur on Pausanias to assassinate Philip, is highly probable. Eespecting Alexander, though he also was ac- cused, there is no sufficient evidence to warrant a similar asser- tion ; but that some among his partisans men eager to consult his feelings and to ensure his succession lent their encourage- ments, appears tolerably well established A Greek sophist named Hermokrates is also said to have contributed to the deed, though seemingly without intention, by his conversation ; and the Persian king (an improbable report) by his gold. 2 Unconscious of the plot, Philip was about to enter the theatre, already crowded with spectators. As he approached the door, clothed in a white robe, he felt so exalted with impressions of his own dignity, and so confident in the admiring sympathy of the surrounding multitude, that he advanced both unarmed and un- protected, directing his guards to hold back. At this moment Pausanias, standing near with a Gallic sword concealed under his garment, rushed upon him, thrust the weapon through his body, and killed him. Having accomplished his purpose, the assassin immediately ran off, and tried to reach the gates, where he had previously caused horses to be stationed. Being strong and ac- tive, he might have succeeded in effecting his escape like most of the assassins of Jason of Pherae 3 under circumstances very similar had not his foot stumbled amidst some vine-stocks. The guards and friends of Philip were at first paralyzed with as- tonishment and consternation. At length however some hastened to assist the dying king ; while others rushed in pursuit of Pau sanias. Leonnatus and Perdikkas overtook him and slew him immediately. 4 In what way, or to what extent, the accomplices ot Pausanias Plutarch, Alex. c. 10. 1 Arrian, Exp. Alex. ii. 14, 10. 4 Diodor. xvi. 94 ; Justin, ix. 7; Plutarch, Alex. c. 10.
 * Xenoph. Ilellen. vi. 4, 32.