Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

350 JUPITER AMMON.and Alexander not only wished to tread in the footsteps ofthese heroes, but desired to learn certainty concerning hisown origin and future, or, as Arrian says, " that he might beable to say he had learned it." Both Plutarch and Arrianagree that Alexander claimed descent from Jupiter only inorder to impose on the credulity of the populations heconquered. He did so, according to Curtius, " because heeither believed Jupiter to be his father, or had a mind theworld should think so, not being satisfied with his mortalgrandeur." While admitting the truth of many of theallegations against this monarch, it must be allowed that follywas not one of his characteristics. His intelligence rangedfar beyond that of most of the wisest men of his day. Andhe was much more capable of pretending a beliefin his owndivine origin for political effect, or because it administered tohis personal vanity, than of really harboring it.Accompanied by a considerable body of horse and foot,Alexander advanced along the seacoast to Parzetonium, nearlytwo hundred miles from Alexandria, thence south an equaldistance to the oasis where the temple lay. Aristobulusstates that on this occasion rain fell in this always arid regionas a sign that the gods were proj)itious, and that the marchof the army was led by two, Curtius says great flocks of,ravens (Ptolemy, son of Lagus, says two snakes, utteringa voice), which moved on before them the entire distance.The voyage was certainly prosperous.The oasis was five miles long by three wide. It was wellinhabited and tilled, and full of olives and palms. Dew fellthere, and the fertility of the spot was in wonderful contrastto the ocean of sand which surrounded it. Justin says Alexandergave the priests instructions as to what answers shouldbe given to his queries, and particularly ordered them tosalute him as son of Jupiter. " Now, whoever would judge