Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/343

 ALEXANDER SEIZED WITH FEVER. 311 execute the order.' It is one evidence of the disgust raised by the rescript at Athens, that Demosthenes is severely reproached by Deinarchus, because, as chief of the Athenian Theory or sa- cred legation to the Olympic festival, he was seen there publicly consorting and in familiar converse with Nikanor."- In the winter or early spring of 323 B. c. several Grecian cities sent envoys into Asia to remonstrate with Alexander against the measure ; we may presume that the Athenians were among them ; but we do not know whether the remonstrance produced any effect.^ There appears to have been considerable discontent in Greece during this winter and spring (323 b. c). The disbanded soldiers out of Asia still maintained a camp at Tienarus ; where Leosthenes, an energetic Athenian of anti- Macedonian sentiments, accepted the command of them, and even attracted fresh mercenaiy soldiers from Asia, under concert with various confederates at Athens, and with the ^tolians.'' Of the money, said to be 5000 talents, brought by Harpalus out of Asia, the greatex part had not been taken by Harpalus to Athens, but apparently left with his officers for the maintenance of the troops who had accompanied him over. Such was the general position of affairs, when Alexander died at Babylon in June 323 B. c. This astounding news, for which no one could have been prepared, must have become diffused throughout Greece during the month of July. It opened the most favorable prospects to all lovers of freedom and suffererri ' Curtius. X. 2,6. The statement of Diodorus (xviii. 8) — that the rescript was popular and acceptable to all Greeks, except the Athenians and ^tolians — cannot be credited. It was popular, doubtless, with the exiles themselves, and their immediate friends. " Deinarchus adv. Demosth. s. 81 ; compare Hyperid. Fragm. p. 36, cd Babington. ^ Diodor. xvii. 11.3. ■• Diodor. xvii. Ill : compare xviii. 21. Pausanias (i. 25, 5; viii. 52, 2) aflirms that Leosthenes brought over 50,000 of these mercenaries from Asis into Peloponnesus, during the lifetime of Alexander, and against Alexan der's will. The number here given seems incredible ; but it is probabii enough that he induced some to come across. — Justin Cxiii. 5) mentioni tliat armed resistance was prepared by the Athenians and TlCtolians against Alexander himself during the latter months of his life, in reference to tho mandate enjoining recall of the exiles. lie seems to overstate the magni- tude of their doings, before the death of Alexander.