80. The Life of Alexander, in the Augustan History, is the
mere idea of a perfect prince, an awkward imitation of the
Cyropaedia. The account of his reign, as given by Herodian,
is rational and moderate, consistent with the general
history of the age; and, in some of the most invidious
particulars, confirmed by the decisive fragments of Dion.
Yet from a very paltry prejudice, the greater number of our
modern writers abuse Herodian, and copy the Augustan
History. Mess. de Tillemont and Wotton. From the opposite
prejudice, the emperor Julian (in Caesarib. p. 315) dwells
with a visible satisfaction on theeffeminate weakness of the
Syrian, and the ridiculous avarice of his mother.