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

HIS BODILY STRENGTH. 651niably fond of flattery at his meals, as at all other times.Indeed, he may be said to have fed on flattery rather than onrich meats.Alexander was active, and able toendure heat and cold,hunger and thirst, trial and fatigue beyond even the stoutest.His strength and courage were altogether exceptional.QuintusCurtius says that he saved his father's life in a mutinyamong the Triballi, when a mere lad, by his sole personal gallantry."He was invincible to those things which terrifyothers."" His bravery did not only excel that of other kings,but even that of those who have no other virtue." He wasnever known to change countenance at wounds.The Mallianarrow which had penetrated his lung, was cut out without amotion on Alexander's part.He was exceeding swift offoot, but when young would notenter the Olympic games, because he had not kings' sonscompete with. An athlete himself, he disliked professionalathletes, saying that they ought to place their strength at theservice of the country. He was always glad to incur hardshipand danger in hunting, and is related to have slain ahuge lion single-handed when in Bactria. He kept his bodyin good training. On the march he was habituated to shootfrom his horse or chariot fortopractice, and to mount and dismountwhen at full speed. He was given to playing ballwith the royal pages. He frequently marched on foot withhis troops rather than make use of horse or chariot. Naturallydisposed to sleep but little, he increased his watchfulnessby habit. In an iron body dwelt both an intellect clear beyondcompare, and a heart full of generous impulses. Hewas ambitious, but from high motives.the world was coupled with the purpose ofHis desire to conquerfurthering Greekcivilization. His courage was, both physically and morally,high-pitched. He actually enjoyed the delirium of battle, and