Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/284

 252 HISTORY OF Greece. only three proje^iting pikes, instead of five, as the ordinary Mace* donian phalanx presented ; but then, in compensation, the Per- sian soldiers would be able to hurl their javelins at an advanc- ing enemy, over the heads of their three front-rank men. The supervening death of Alexander prevented the actual execution of this reform, interesting as being his last project for amal- gamating Persians and Macedonians into one military force. Besides thus modifying the jihalanx, Alexander also passed in review his fleet, which was now fully equipped. The order was actually given for departing, so soon as the obsequies of Hephfestion should be celebrated. This was the last act which remained for him to fulfiL The splendid funeral pile stood ready — two hundred feet high, occupying a square area, of which the side was nearly one furlbng, loaded with costly decora- tions from the zeal, real and simulated, of the Macedonian officers. The invention of artists was exhausted, in long dis- cussions with the king himself, to produce at all cost an exhibition of magnificence singular and stupendous. The outlay (probably with addition of the festivals immediately following) is stated at 12,000 talents, or £2,760,000 sterling.^ Alexander awaited the order from the oracle of Ammon, having sent thither mes- sengers to inquire what measure of reverential honor he might properly and piously show to his departed friend.^ The answer was now brought back, intimating that Hephaestion was to be worshipped as a Hero — the secondary form of worship, not on a level with that paid to the gods. Delighted with this divine testimony to Hephsestion, Alexander caused the pile to be light- ed, and the obsequies celebrated, in a manner suitable to the in- junctions of the oracle.* He farther directed that magnificent chapels or sacred edifices should be erected for the worship and honor of Hephfestion, at Alexandria in Egypt, — at Pella in Macedonia, — and probably in other cities also.* ' Diodorus, xvii. 115 ; Plutarch, Alex. 72. '•^ Arrian, vii. 23, 8. ^ Diodor. xvii. 114, 115: compare Arrian, vii. 14, 16; Plutarch, Al exand. 75. ^ Arrian, vii. 23, 10-13; Diod. xviii. 4. Diodorus speaks indeed, in this passage, of the nvpu or funeral pile in honor of Hephjestion, as if it wera among the vast expenses included among the memoranda left by Alex