We see philosophers, poets, musicians, painters and sculptors<hr>
living in abundance and working solely for your glory and their own. We see<hr>
philosophers put into practice the politics they teach by ruling over vast<hr>
kingdoms. We see poets carrying both a golden lyre and an ebony quiver,<hr>
singing your triumphs and governing provinces. We see musicians whose lutes<hr>
are made of ivory, using their voices only to thank you and express their joy. We see painters<hr>
that are as rich as once sovereign princes who employed them.<hr>
We also observe sculptors not only working marble, porphyry and<hr>
alabaster into their statues, but owning palaces where these marvels are<hr>
exhibited. Ultimately, all beautiful sciences and all beautiful arts flourish under your reign. It<hr>
seems that as the gods performed a miracle in you, nature created<hr>
masterpieces out of love for you. You have your Aristotles, Philoxeni, Xenophanes, Apelles, and Lysippos who, surpassing you in happiness and glory, will also work<hr>
for yours. All future generations, seeing the portraits of you left by these celebrated artists, whether in their writings, paintings, or statues, will but envy the great Alexander. All deserving individuals in subsequent eras will wish they had lived during your time. You will be the model of great princes and the shame of the mediocre, and as long as there are men, you will be spoken of as a god. I am not surprised that our great Xerxes, with all his power, could not conquer Greece, for since Greece was to beget you, it was right for the gods to reserve the conquest of the world to you.<hr>
If Xerxes had accomplished what he intended, he might have been called the tyrant and the scourge of the universe, but you, you are the rightful prince of all the people you have conquered. You are sent from heaven for the world's happiness, and it was not for no reason that the oracle of Jupiter Ammon said you were his son. No, Alexander, neither in war nor in wisdom can you be surpassed, and after your decision today to restore Darius to the throne by sharing it with his daughter Stateira, you have nothing else to do, and there is nothing left for me to desire but the continuance of your glory. I do not fear that you can be deprived of the latter. No, that sentiment is not present in my heart. But I fear that the injustice of men may make them unworthy of having you as their master, or that the jealousy of the gods may push them to recall you to them. Whatever happens, Alexander, I assure you not to stay in this world after you. I could survive Darius, who was my son, but after all the obligations I owe to you, I could not survive you. Forgive me for expressing such a gloomy sentiment on a day of rejoicing. I think it would be advantageous for you if it were known that there is a princess and a mother here who, without cowardice and without injustice, loved you more than her own son, even though you were her enemy. So forgive me this gloomy thought, but it is glorious to you, and believe that if my wishes are fulfilled, not only will your glory be immortal, but your person will be too.<hr>
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