Alexander   

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