Home1810 Edition

ABDALONYMUS

Volume 8 · 216 words · 1810 Edition

or Abdolonymus, in Classic History, of the royal family of Sidon, and descended from King Cinyras, lived in obscurity, and subsisted by cultivating a garden, while Strato was in possession of the crown of Sidon. Alexander the Great having deposed Strato, inquired whether any of the race of Cinyras was living, that he might set him on the throne. It was generally thought that the whole race was extinct; but at last Abdalonymus was thought of, and mentioned to Alexander; who immediately ordered some of his soldiers to fetch him. They found the good man at work, happy in his poverty, and entirely a stranger to the noise of arms, with which all Asia was at that time disturbed; and they could scarcely persuade him they were in earnest. Alexander was convinced of his high descent by the dignity of his person; but was furious of learning from him in what manner he bore his poverty. "I wish," said Abdalonymus, "I may bear my new condition as well: these hands have supplied my necessities: I have had nothing, and I have wanted nothing." This answer pleased Alexander so much, that he not only bestowed on him all that belonged to Strato, but augmented his dominions, and gave him a large present out of the Persian spoils.