Book 15
1.68
Megasthenes says, that self-destruction is not a dogma of the philosophers, and that those who commit this act are accounted fool-hardy; that some, who are by nature harsh, inflict wounds upon their ,bodies, or cast themselves down precipices; those who are impatient of pain drown themselves; those who can endure pain strangle themselves; and those of ardent tempers throw themselves into the fire. Of this last description was Calanus, who had no control over himself, and was a slave to the table of Alexander. Calanus is censured, while Mandanis is applauded. When Alexander’s messengers invited the latter to come to the son of Jove, promising a reward if he would comply, and threatening punishment if he refused, he answered, Alexander was not the son of Jove, for he did not govern even the smallest portion of the earth; nor did he himself desire a gift of one whoCoraÿ reads πόθος instead of κόοͅος in the text. The translation would then be, who required nothing; but ἐκείνου here refers to Alexander. was satisfied with nothing. Neither did he fear his threats, for as long as he lived India would supply him with food enough; and when he died, he should be delivered from the flesh wasted by old age, and be translated to a better and purer state of existence. Alexander commended and pardoned him.
1.69
Historians also relate that the Indians worship Jupiter Ombrius (or, the Rainy), the river Ganges, and the indigenous deities of the country; that when the king washes his hair,On the day of his birth, Herod. ix. 109. a great feast is celebrated, and large presents are sent, each person displaying his wealth in competition with his neighbour.
1.69
They say, that some of the gold-digging myrmeces (ants) have wings; and that the rivers, like those of Iberia,Of Armenia. bring down gold-dust.
