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Arrian, Anabasis 7.18.1-4:
Apollodorus of Amphipolis, one of Alexander’s Companions, commander of the force Alexander left behind with Mazaeus the satrap of Babylon, after he had met Alexander on his return from India and observed that he was punishing severely the satraps appointed over various provinces, wrote to Pithagoras his brother, as he was one of those seers who prophesy from the flesh of victims, to prophesy about his own welfare. Pithagoras wrote in answer asking who it was that he chiefly feared that he wanted the help of prophecy, and he replied that it was the king himself and Hephaestion. Pithagoras then sacrificed first in regard to Hephaestion and, as the lobe could not be seen on the liver of the victim, he reported this, and sealing his letter sent it to Apollodorus from Babylon to Ecbatana, showing that he had nothing to fear from Hephaestion, as in a short time he would be out of their way. Apollodorus received this letter, Aristobulus says, on the day before Hephaestion died. Then Pithagoras sacrificed again in regard to Alexander, and again the liver of the victim had no lobe. Pithagoras wrote to Apollodorus in the same terms about Alexander. But Apollodorus did not keep his councel; instead he told Alexander the news he had received, with the idea of showing loyalty in higher degree to the king by advising him to beware in case any danger came upon him at this time. He says that Alexander thanked Apollodorus and, when he reached Babylon, asked Pithagoras what particular sign caused him to write this to his brother. He replied that he found the liver of his victim without a lobe. When asked what this sign portended, he said: ‘Something very serious.’ However, Alexander was so far from being incensed against Pithagoras that he actually paid him more respect for speaking the truth without deceit.
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Arrian, Anabasis 7.18.1-4
Bibliography
| Brunt 1976-1983 | Brunt, P. A. Arrian. 2 Vols. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge MA: Harvard University Press, London: Heinemann 1976-1983. |
Amar Annus
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