Alexander, much disturbed at this portent, was purified by the priests at Babylon, whom he was accustomed to make use of for this purpose, but told his friends that he was alarmed for their sake, and not for his own, as he feared that if he fell, heaven might transfer his crown to some unworthy and feeble successor.  However, he was soon cheered by a better omen.  The chief of Alexander’s household servants, a Macedonian named Proxenus, while digging a place to pitch the royal tent near the river Oxus, discovered a well, full of a smooth, fatty liquid.  When the upper layer was removed, there spouted forth a clear oil, exactly like olive oil in smell and taste, and incomparably bright and clear:  and that, too, in a country where no olive trees grew.  It is said that the water of the Oxus itself is very soft and pleasant, and that it causes the skin of those who bathe in it to become sleek and glossy.  Alexander was greatly delighted with this discovery, as we learn from a letter which he wrote to Antipater, in which he speaks of this as being one of the most important and manifest signs of the divine favour which had ever been vouchsafed to him.  The soothsayers held that the omen portended, that the campaign would be glorious, but laborious and difficult:  for oil has been given by the gods to men to refresh them after labour.

LVIII.  Alexander when on this expedition ran terrible risks in battle, and was several times grievously wounded.  His greatest losses were caused, however, by the want of provisions, and by the severity of the climate.  He himself, striving to overcome fortune by valour, thought nothing impossible to a brave man, and believed that, while daring could surmount all obstacles, cowardice could not be safe behind any defences.  We are told that when he was besieging the fortress of Sisymithres, which was placed upon a steep and inaccessible rock, his soldiers despaired of being able to take it.  He asked Oxyartes what sort of a man Sisymithres himself was in respect of courage.  When Oxyartes answered that he was the greatest coward in the world, Alexander said ’You tell me, that the fortress can be taken; for its spirit is weak.”  And indeed he did take it, by playing upon the fears of Sisymithres.  Once he was attacking another fortress, also situated upon the top of a lofty rock.  While he was addressing words of encouragement to the younger Macedonians, finding that one of them was named Alexander, he said “You must this day prove yourself a brave man, if but for your name’s sake.”  The youth fought most bravely, but fell, to the great grief of Alexander.  When he reached the city named Nysa,[419] the Macedonians were unwilling to attack it, because a very deep river ran past its walls.  “Unlucky that I am,” exclaimed Alexander, “why did I never learn to swim?” Saying thus, he prepared to cross the river just as he was, with his shield upon his left arm.  After an unsuccessful assault, ambassadors were sent by the besieged, who