54 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. 



ture of peace and peaceable government ; but likewise it 

 hath no less power and efficacy in enablement towards 

 martial and military virtue and prowess ; as may be notably 

 represented in the examples of Alexander the Great, and 

 Caesar the Dictator, mentioned before, but now in fit place 

 to be resumed ; of whose virtues and acts in war there needs 

 no note or recital, having been the wonders of time in that 

 kind : but of their affections towards learning, and perfec 

 tions in learning, it is pertinent to say somewhat. 



10 Alexander was bred and taught under Aristotle the 

 great philosopher, who dedicated divers of his books of 

 philosophy unto him : he was attended with Callisthenes 

 and divers other learned persons, that followed him in camp, 

 throughout his journeys and conquests. What price and 

 estimation he had learning in doth notably appear in these 

 three particulars : first, in the envy he used to express that 

 he bore towards Achilles, in this, that he had so good a 

 trumpet of his praises as Homer's verses : secondly, in the 

 judgment or solution he gave touching that precious cabinet 



20 of Darius, which was found among his jewels ; whereof 

 question was made what thing was worthy to be put into it ; 

 and he gave his opinion for Homer's works : thirdly, in his 

 letter to Aristotle, after he had set forth his books of nature, 

 wherein lie expostulated with him for publishing the secrets 

 or mysteries of philosophy ; and gave him to understand 

 that himself esteemed it more to excel other men in learning 

 and knowledge than in power and empire. And what use 

 he had of learning doth appear, or rather shine, in all his 

 speeches and answers, being full of science, and use of 



30 science, and that in all variety. 



And herein again it may seem a thing scholastical, and 

 somewhat idle, to recite things that every man knoweth ; but 

 yet, since the argument I handle leadeth me thereunto, I am 

 glad that men shall perceive I am as willing to flatter, if they 

 will so call it, an Alexander, or a Caesar, or an Antoninus, 

 that are dead many hundred years since, as any that now 



