Tag: Quintus Curtius

Tum vero universa contio accensa est, et a corporis custodibus initium factum, clamantibus discerpendum esse parricidam manibus eorum. id quidem Philotas, qui graviora supplicia metueret, haud sane iniquo animo audiebat; at rex in contionem reversus, sive ut in custodia quoque torqueret, sive ut diligentius cuncta cognosceret, concilium in posterum diem distulit et, quamquam in vesperam inclinabat dies, tamen amicos convocari iubet. et ceteris quidem placebat, Macedonum more obrui saxis, Hephaestio autem et Craterus et Coenus tormentis veritatem exprimendam esse dixerunt; et illi quoque qui aliud suaserant in horum sententiam transeunt.
(Quintus Curtius, Historiae Alexandri Magni 6.11.8-10)

Then truly the whole assembly was inflamed, and a beginning was made by the body-guards, who shouted that the traitor ought to be torn to pieces by their own hands. This indeed Philotas, who feared severer tortures, heard by no means reluctantly; but the king, having returned to the assembly, either that he might also torture him in prison, or that he might investigate the whole matter more carefully, adjourned the council to the following day, and although the time was approaching evening, he nevertheless ordered his friends to be called together. And the rest for their part recommended that Philotas be stoned to death, according to the ancient custom of the Macedonians, but Hephaestion and Craterus and Coenus said that the truth ought to be forced from him by torments; and those also who had recommended the other course went over to their opinion. (tr. John C. Rolfe)

Vestis non tota Amazonum corpori obducitur; nam laeva pars ad pectus est nuda, cetera deinde velantur. nec tamen sinus vestis, quem nodo colligunt, infra genua descendit. Altera papilla intacta servatur qua muliebris sexus liberos alant; aduritur dextera, ut arcus facilius intendant et tela vibrent.
(Quintus Curius, Historiae Alexandri Magni 6.28)

The clothing of the Amazons does not wholly cover the body; for the left side is nude as far as the breast, then the other parts of the body are veiled. However, the fold of the robe, which they gather in a knot, does not reach below the knee. One nipple is left untouched, and with it they nourish their female children*; the right is seared, in order that they may more easily stretch their bows and hurl their spears.

* The males were given to the fathers to rear.

(tr. John Carew Rolfe, with his note)