w, Alexander built him a fine tomb, had him buried with
all the magnificence possible, and even decreed that he should
henceforth be worshiped as a god. In this folly he was upheld by the
priests, who were now ready to grant his every wish, and were always
filling his mind with their senseless flatteries.

Alexander then fell into his old habits more than ever. He had again
assumed all the pomp of an Eastern king, and sat on a wonderful golden
throne. Over his head was the golden vine that had formerly belonged to
the first Darius. Its leaves were of emeralds, while its grapes were
clusters of fine carbuncles.

This vine had been given to a Persian king by Croe'sus, the wealthy
ruler of Lyd'i-a, and was considered one of the most precious treasures
which the young conqueror had won.

But in spite of all Alexander's successes, he was not nearly so happy as
he used to be when only king of Macedon. He no longer enjoyed the fine
health which had helped him to bear the greatest hardships, and,
weakened by over eating and drinking, he soon fell dangerously ill.

The doctors crowded around his bed, doing their best to save him, but
they soon saw that he would die. When the Macedonian soldiers heard
this, they were beside themselves with grief, and one and all insisted
upon seeing their beloved leader once more.

Silently and sadly they filed past his bed, gazing upon the dying face
which they had seen so bright and full of life a short time before. As
most of the soldiers were older than their king, they had never expected
to outlive him; and every one said that it was sad to die thus, at
thirty-three, when master of nearly all the known world.

Just before he died, some one begged Alexander to name his successor. He
hesitated for a moment, then drew his signet ring from his finger, gave
it to Per-dic'cas, his principal general, and whispered that the
strongest among them should have the throne.

[Illustration: Death of Alexander.]

Alexander's death was mourned by all, for, in spite of his folly and
excesses, he was generally beloved. Even Sisygambis, the Persian queen
whom he had taken captive a few years before, shed many tears over his
remains, and declared she had lost a protector who had always treated
her as kindly as if he had been her own son.

The conqueror's body was laid in a golden coffin, and carried in state
to Alexandria, the city he had founded at the mouth of the Nile. Here a
fine tomb was built by