Greece -- Biography -- Early works to 1800; Rome -- Biography -- Early works to 1800
XVII. Demetrius added to the glory of this brilliant victory by his
generous and humane conduct in burying the enemy's dead with great
honour, and in setting free all his prisoners. He sent a present to the
Athenians of twelve hundred complete suits of armour from the spoils
which he had taken. He also sent Aristodemus of Miletus to bear the news
of the victory to his father. Of all his courtiers, this man was the
boldest flatterer, and on this occasion he surpassed himself. After his
passage from Cyprus, he would not allow his ship to approach the land,
but cast anchor, bade all the crew remain on board, and himself rowed
ashore in a small boat. He now walked up to the palace of Antigonus, who
was in a state of great excitement and impatience to learn the issue of
the battle, as may easily be imagined, considering the importance of the
stake. When he heard that Aristodemus was come, his anxiety reached its
highest pitch. He could scarcely keep himself indoors, and sent
messenger after messenger, both servants and his own friends, to learn
from Aristodemus what had taken place. Aristodemus returned no answer to
any of them, but walked leisurely on with immovable countenance.
Antigonus could bear the suspense no longer, but came to the door of his
palace to meet Aristodemus, who was now accompanied by a large crowd.
When he came near, he stretched forth his right hand, and in a loud
voice exclaimed, "Hail, King Antigonus. We have defeated Ptolemy in a
sea-fight. We are masters of Cyprus, and have taken sixteen thousand
eight hundred prisoners." To this Antigonus answered, "Hail to you,
also; but you shall pay the penalty of having tortured us so long: you
shall wait long before you receive the reward for your good news."
XVIII. After this success, the people for the first time saluted
Antigonus and Demetrius with the title of kings. The friends of
Antigonus at once placed a diadem upon his head, and he sent one to
Demetrius, with a letter in which he addressed him as king. The
Egyptians, when they heard of this, also proclaimed Ptolemy king, that
they might not appear to be dispirited by their defeat. Their example
was soon followed by the other successors of Alexander, out of rivalry,
for Lysimachus and Seleukus now began to wear the diadem in the presence
of Greeks, though Seleukus had long before adopted the royal style in
his dealings with Asiatics. Kassander, however, although every one both
in interviews and letters addressed him as king, never used the title in
his own letters, but signed them simply with his own name as he had been
wont to do.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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