Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/228

 196 HISTORY OF GREECE. continued, wrung from him at last a confession, implicating his father along with himself. He was put to death ; and at the same time, all those whose names had been indicated by Niko- machus, were slain also — apparently by being stoned, without preliminary torture. Philotas had serving in the army a numerous kindred, all of whom were struck with, consterna- tion at the news of his being tortured. It was the Macedonian law that all kinsmen of a man guilty of treason were doomed to death along with him. Accordingly, some of these men slew themselves, others fled from the camp, seeking refuge where- ever they could. Such was the terror and tumult in the camp, that Alexander was obliged to proclaim a suspension of this sanguinary law for the occasion.^ It now remained to kill Parmehio, who could not be safely left alive after the atrocities used towards Philotas ; and to kill him, moreover, before he could have time to hear of them, since he was nat only the oldest, most respected, and most influential of all Macedonian officers, but also in separate command of the great depot at Ekbatana. Alexander summoned to his presence one of the Companions named Polydamas ; a particular friend, comrade, or aide de camp, of Parmenio. Eveiy friend of Phi- lotas felt at this moment that his life hung by a thread ; so that Polydamas entered the king's presence in extreme terror, the rather as he was ordered to bring with him his two younger brothers. Alexander addressed him, denouncing Parmenio as a traitor, and intimating that Polydamas would be required to carry a swift and confidential message to Ekbatana, ordering his execution. Polydamas was selected as the attached friend of Parmenio, and therefore as best calculated to deceive him. Two letters were placed in his hands, addi-essed to Parmenio ; one from Alexander himself, conveying ostensibly military comnju- nications and orders ; the other, signed with the seal-ring of the deceased Philotas, and purporting to be addressed by the son to the father. Together with these, Polydamas received the real and important despatch, addressed by Alexander to Kleander ingerebantur, non vocem modo, sed etiam gemitus liabuit in potestate: scd postquam intumescenq corpus ulceribus flagellonim ictus nudis ossibus iu« cussos feiie non poterat," etc. ' Cartius, vi. 11, 20,