he took Joppe and Gaza, which were yielded unto his discretion, and well used. The strong city of Tyrus held out long, but was compelled in the end by famine to render itself upon composition, that Ptolomy's soldiers might depart with their arms, which was permitted.

Ptolomy was not asleep whilst these things were in doing, though he kept himself within the bounds of Egypt, as inIdeed it behoved him to do. His forces were not able to stand against Antigonus in plain field, but likely they were to increase, which made him willing to protract the time. Nevertheless by sea (where his enemy was as yet unready) he sent his fleet into all quarters, whereof Seleucus had the chief command.

Seleucus passed with an hundred sail along the coast of Syria, in the full view of Antigonus and his army, to their no little discomfort. He landed in Cyprus, which was then governed by many petty lords; of whom the greatest adhered to Ptolomy, the rest were, by the factors of Antigonus, bought for him with gold, but now redeemed by the Egyptian with sharp steel.

The same commodity of aid by sea encouraged the president of Caria (called also Cassander, but not the son of Antipater, howsoever by the painful and learned writer Reinerus Reineccius, he is by some oversight counted for the same) to declare for Ptolomy and his confederates, and busily employ in their quarrel all his forces, which he had hitherto kept in good neutrality, and thereby enjoyed rest; but now he threw himself into dangerous war, choosing rather to undergo trouble at hand than to fall under certain ruin, though somewhat further distant, which would have overwhelmed him, if Antigonus had beaten all the rest.

SECT. III.

How each party sought to win the assistance of Greece. Antigonus's declaration against Cassander. Alexander, the son of Polysperchon, revolteth from Antigonus, who had set him up. IN the mean season all care possible was taken on both sides to assure unto them the people of Greece, whose aid,

which way soever it inclined, was of great importance. Herein at the first Antigonus sped so well by large effusion of his treasure, that he drew to him the Lacedæmonians, and other Peloponnesians, of whom he waged eight thousand, and caused Polysperchon (who had a good while made hard shifts) to rouse himself again, and taking upon him the title of captain of Peloponnesus, to make head against Cassander.

These hopeful beginnings encouraged him to proceed further in the same kind. Wherefore, to make Cassander the more odious, he called together both his own soldiers, and all the Greeks and Macedonians that were to be found thereabouts. To these he declared, that Cassander had very cruelly slain Olympias, mother to the great Alexander; and not herewith contented, had shut up in close prison the poor lady Roxana, Alexander's wife, and his son begotten on her body. That all this proceeded from a desire to make himself king over the Macedonians; which well appeared by his enforcing the lady Thessalonica, daughter to king Philip, a match unfit for a man of no greater parentage than he, to join with him in marriage. That in mere despite of those dead princes, Philip and Alexander, he had planted the Olynthians, rooted out by Philip, in a new city by him built, and called by his own name Cassandria; and had reedified the city of Thebes, which, for the great treason of the inhabitants, was levelled with the ground by the victorious hand of Alexander. For these reasons he required them to make a decree, that Cassander should restore to absolute liberty the lady Roxana, and her son; and should yield obedience to the lord lieutenant general of the empire, (by which name Antigonus himself was understood,) or else should be reputed a traitor, and open enemy to the state. Furthermore he propounded, that all the cities of Greece should be restored into freedom: this he did, not because he was careful of their good, but for the need which he had of their assistance.

These things being decreed, Antigonus was persuaded, that not only the Greeks would adhere unto him, as to their

loving patron, and fall off from Cassander; but that the rulers of provinces, who had hitherto suspected him as a man regardful of nothing but his own benefit, would correct their opinion, and think him the most faithful of all others to the royal blood. But concerning his loyalty to the young prince, the world was too wise to be deceived with vain shows. His undertaking for the liberty of the Greeks was more effectual, and got easy belief, in regard of his present hatred to Cassander. Yet herein also Ptolomy strove to be as earnest as he, making the like decree, in hope to win to himself that valiant nation, which afforded men far more serviceable in war, than were to be found in any province of the empire.

And this indeed was the point at which both sides aimed. Wherein Antigonus, thinking to make all sure, deceived himself, not without great cost. For he gave to Alexander, the son of Polysperchon, five hundred talents, willing him to set the war on foot in Peloponnesus, whereby it might appear, that on his side was meant nothing else, than what was openly pretended.

In Peloponnesus Cassander's men had with much bloodshed grievously afflicted the contrary faction; and he himself perceiving, that they were more easily spoiled as enemies than retained as friends, thought it the best way to make what use he could of them, that were not long like to continue his. Finally, perceiving that Alexander came furnished with plenty of gold, wherewith he was able, not only to win the doubtful, but to corrupt such as might seem best assured; he thought it a good part of wisdom, to surrender upon fair conditions that which he could not assure himself to hold any long time by force. Therefore he sent one to deal with Alexander about the matters in controversy; letting him know, that Antigonus was very skilful in setting men together by the ears, not caring who prevailed, but only desiring to have them weary themselves, whilst he was busied elsewhere; that so at length he might find opportunity to set upon the stronger. If therefore Alexander were so wise, as to keep in his purse the five hun

dred talents which he had, and without stroke stricken to receive the whole lordship of Peloponnesus; it should be freely put into his hands by Cassander; provided, that he should from thenceforth renounce all confederacy made with Antigonus, and enter into a sure and faithful league with Ptolomy, Cassander, and the rest of the confederates. Otherwise he might well persuade himself, that the country which his father could not keep, when he was indeed the lieutenant of the empire, should not in haste be won by him that was only the factor of a proud injurious man, so styling himself, but not acknowledged by others.

Alexander had lived a while with Antigonus since the beginning of these wars; among whose followers it was not hard to discover the intent (which he did not carry very secret) of making himself absolute lord of all. Therefore he was soon entreated to accept so good an offer; and did not stick to enter into that league, whereby he was to become a free lord, and subject unto no man's control.

Howbeit this his honour continued not long, ere he lost both it and his life together by treason of the Sicyonians; who, thinking thereby to have made themselves free, were soon after vanquished in battle by Cratesipolis, Alexander's wife, a discreet and valiant lady. She, in revenge of her husband's death, crucified thirty of the citizens taken in fight; and having by severity taught them obedience, did afterwards contain her army in good order, and governed those places that she held with the love and commendation of her subjects and neighbours.

SECT. IV.

The Etolians rise against Cassander in favour of Antigonus, and are beaten. A fleet and land-army of Antigonus utterly defeated by Ptolomy's lieutenant. In what terms the war stood at this time. Antigonus draws nearer to Greece.

ANTIGONUS, when he found that with so much money he had only bought an enemy, began to raise troubles to Cassander and his other adversaries in Greece, by stirring up the Etolians against them; likewise he laboured to win

to his party the islands in the Greek seas, by whose assistance he might be the better able to deal with Ptolomy, that greatly prevailed by reason of his strong fleet. But neither of these attempts had the success which he expected. The Ætolians, a factious nation, and always envying the greatness of their neighbours, were often in commotion, but so, that commonly their gains equalled not their losses. Cassander won some of their own country; fortified the Acarnanians against them, and compelled Glaucias, king of the Illyrians, whom he vanquished in battle, to forsake their side, and bind himself to bear no arms against Cassander's friends.

On the other side, as many petty islands were drawn to join with Antigonus; so the fleet of the Rhodians under Theodatus, who was admiral to Antigonus, passing along the coast of Asia toward Cyprus, with an army under conduct of Perilaus, marching on the shore for mutual assistance, was quite overthrown by Ptolomy's navy. Polyclytus, who in Ptolomy's behalf had been sent into Peloponnesus against Alexander, finding no need of his service in that country because Alexander was come over to their side, returned homewards, and by the way heard of the course which these Antigonians held, whom he very cunningly surprised. He rode with his fleet behind a cape, which the enemy's were to double; his land-forces he placed in ambush, whereinto Perilaus falling was taken prisoner, with many of his men, and many were slain, making little resistance. Theodatus, the admiral, perceiving this, made all haste to help his fellows that were on land; but whilst he with all his fleet were intentive only to that business, Polyclytus appeared at their backs; who as soon as he perceived their disorder, hastened about the cape, and charging them behind suffered not one of them to escape him. These ill tidings caused Antigonus to deal with Ptolomy about some composition. First he sent ambassadors; afterwards they met in person. But Antigonus would not yield unto the demands of Ptolomy; so the parley was vain.

Hitherto each part seemed to have indifferently sped in