Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/223

 CONSPIRACY AGAINST ALEXANDER. 19 1 manding the great depot and treasure at Ekbatana. His long military experience, and confidential position even under Philip, rendered him the second person in the Macedonian army, next to Alexander himself. His three sons were aU soldiers. The youngest of them, Hektor, had been accidentally drowned in the Nile, whUe in the suite of Alexander in Egypt ; the second^ Nikanor, had commanded the hj'paspists or light infantry, but had died of illness, fortunately for himself, a short time before ; ^ the eldest, Philotas, occupied the high rank of general of the Companion-cavalry, in daily communication with Alexander, from whom he received personal orders. A revelation came to Philotas, from Kebalinus, brother of a youth named Nikomachus, that a soldier, named Dimnus of Cha- lastra, had made boast to Nikomachus, liis intimate friend or be- loved person, under vows of secrecy, of an intended conspiracy against Alexander, inviting him to become an accompUce.- Ni- komachus, at first struck with abhorrence, at length simulated compliance, asked who were the accomplices of Dimnus, and received intimation of a few names ; all of which he presently communicated to his brother Kebalinus, for the purpose of being divulged. Kebalinus told the facts to Philotas, entreatmg him to mention them to Alexander. But PhUotas, though every day in communication with the king, neglected to do this for two days ; upon which Kebalinus began to suspect him of con- nivance, and caused the revelation to be made to Alexander through one of the pages named Metron. Dimnus was imme- diately arrested, but ran himself through with his sword, and expired without making any declaration.* Of this conspiracy, real or pretended, every thing rested on the testimony of Nikomachus. Alexander indignantly sent for Philotas, demanding why he had omitted for two days to communicate what he had heard. Philotas replied, that the ' Arrian, iii. 25, 6 ; Curtius, iv. 8, 7 -, vi. 6, 19. ^ Curtius, vi. 7, 2. " Dimnus, modica; apud regem auctoritates et gratiae, exoleti, cui Nicomacho erat nomen, amore flagrabat, obsequio uni sibi de- diti corporis vinctus." Plutarch, Alex. 49; Diodor. xvii. 79. 3 Curt. vi. 7, 29; Plutarch, Alex. 49. The latter says that Diranua resisted the officer sent to arrest him, and was killed by him in thti combat.