Alexander

From thence he marched into Parthia,[*](In the early autumn of 330 B.C.) where, during a respite from fighting, he first put on the barbaric dress, either from a desire to adapt himself to the native customs, believing that community of race and custom goes far towards softening the hearts of men; or else this was an attempt to introduce the obeisance[*](Prostration on the ground before a great personage, a peculiarly Persian custom.) among the Macedonians, by accustoming them little by little to put up with changes and alterations in his mode of life.

However, he did not adopt the famous Median fashion of dress, which was altogether barbaric and strange, nor did he assume trousers, or sleeved vest, or tiara, but carefully devised a fashion which was midway between the Persian and the Median, more modest than the one and more stately than the other. At first he wore this only in intercourse with the Barbarians and with his companions at home, then people generally saw him riding forth or giving audience in this attire.