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ement； and in his love of glory； and the pursuit of it； he showed a solidity of high spirit and magnanimity far above his age。 For he neither sought nor valued it upon every occasion； as his father Philip did （who affected to show his eloquence almost to a degree of pedantry； and took care to have the victories of his racing chariots at the Olympic games engraven on his coin）； but when he was asked by some about him； whether he would run a race in the Olympic games； as he was very swift…footed； he answered； he would； if he might have kings to run with him。 Indeed； he seems in general to have looked with indifference； if not with dislike； upon the professed athletes。 He often appointed prizes； for which not only tragedians and musicians； pipers and harpers； but rhapsodists also； strove to outvie one another； and delighted in all manner of hunting and cudgel…playing； but never gave any encouragement to contests either of boxing or of the pancratium。 While he was yet very young； he entertained the ambassadors from the King of Persia； in the absence of his father； and entering much into conversation with them； gained so much upon them by his affability； and the questions he asked them； which were far from being childish or trifling （for he inquired of them the length of the ways； the nature of the road into inner Asia； the character of their king； how he carried himself to his enemies； and what forces he was able to bring into the field）； that they were struck with admiration of him； and looked upon the ability so much famed of Philip to be nothing in comparison with the forwardness and high purpose that appeared thus early in his son。 Whenever he heard Philip had taken any town of importance； or won any signal victory； instead of rejoicing at it altogether； he would tell his companions that his father would anticipate everything； and leave him and them no opportunities of performing great and illustrious actions。 For being more bent upon action and glory than either upon pleasure or riches； he esteemed all that he should receive from his father as a diminution and prevention of his own future achievements； and would have chosen rather to succeed to a kingdom involved in troubles and wars； which would have afforded him frequent exercise of his courage； and a large field of honour； than to one already flourishing and settled； where his inheritance would be an inactive life； and the mere enjoyment of wealth and luxury。 The care of his education； as it might be presumed； was committed to a great many attendants； preceptors； and teachers； over the whole of whom Leonidas； a near kinsman of Olympias； a man of an austere temper； presided； who did not indeed himself decline the name of what in reality is a noble and honourable office； but in general his dignity； and his near relationship； obtained him from other people the title of Alexander's foster…father and governor。 But he who took upon him the actual place and style of his pedagogue was Lysimachus the Acarnanian； who； though he had nothing to recommend him； but his lucky fancy of calling himself Phoenix； Alexander Achilles and Philip Peleus； was therefore well enough esteemed； and ranked in the next degree after Leonidas。 Philonicus the Thessalian brought the horse Bucephalus to Philip； offering to sell him for thirteen talents； but when they went into the field to try him； they found him so very vicious and unmanageable； that he reared up when they endeavoured to mount him； and would not so much as endure the voice of any of Philip's attendants。 Upon which； as they were leading him away as wholly useless and untractable； Alexander； who stood by； said； 〃What an excellent horse do they lose for want of address and boldness to manage him！〃 Philip at first took no notice of what he said； but when he heard him repeat the same thing several times； and saw he was much vexed to see the horse sent away； 〃Do you reproach；〃 said he to him； 〃those who are older than yourself； as if you knew more； and were better able to manage him than they？〃 〃I could manage this horse；〃 replied he； 〃better than others do。〃 〃And if you do not；〃 said Philip； 〃what will you forfeit for your rashness？〃 〃I will pay；〃 answered Alexander； 〃the whole price of the horse。〃 At this the whole company fell a…laughing； and as soon as the wager was settled amongst them； he immediately ran to the horse； and taking hold of the bridle； turned him directly towards the sun； having； it seems； observed that he was disturbed at and afraid of the motion of his own shadow； then letting him go forward a little； still keeping the reins in his hands； and stroking him gently when he found him begin to grow eager and fiery； he let fall his upper garment softly； and with one nimble leap securely mounted him； and when he was seated； by little and little drew in the bridle； and curbed him without either striking or spurring him。 Presently； when he found him free from all rebelliousness； and only impatient for the course； he let him go at full speed； inciting him now with a commanding voice； and urging him also with his heel。 Philip and his friends looked on at first in silence and anxiety for the result； till seeing him turn at the end of his career； and come back rejoicing and triumphing for what he had performed； they all burst out into acclamations of applause； and his father shedding tears； it is said； for joy； kissed him as he came down from his horse； and in his transport said； 〃O my son； look thee out a kingdom equal to and worthy of thyself； for Macedonia is too little for thee。〃 After this； considering him to be of a temper easy to be led to his duty by reason； but by no means to be compelled； he always endeavoured to persuade rather than to command or force him to anything； and now looking upon the instruction and tuition of his youth to be of greater difficulty and importance than to be wholly trusted to the ordinary masters in music and poetry； and the common school subjects； and to require； as Sophocles says…
〃The bridle and the rudder too；〃
he sent for Aristotle； the most learned and most celebrated philosopher of his time； and rewarded him with a munificence proportionable to and becoming the care he took to instruct his son。 For he repeopled his native city Stagira； which he had caused to be demolished a little before； and restored all the citizens； who were in exile or slavery； to their habitations。 As a place for the pursuit of their studies and exercise； he assigned the temple of the Nymphs； near Mieza； where； to this very day； they show you Aristotle's stone seats； and the shady walks which he was wont to frequent。 It would appear that Alexander received from him not only his doctrines of Morals and of Politics； but also something of those more abstruse and profound theories which these philosophers； by the very names they gave them； professed to reserve for oral communication to the initiated； and did not allow many to become acquainted with。 For when he was in Asia； and heard Aristotle had published some treatises of that kind； he wrote to him； using very plain language to him in behalf of philosophy； the following letter。 〃Alexander to Aristotle； greeting。 You have not done well to publish your books