Alexander of Macedon's Oath at Opis, 324 BC:
The amazing elation of a man over his time.
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Alexander had all his officers and satraps take an oath of peace - something that is obviously impossible today - but wouldn't it be nice...
"I wish all of you, now that the wars are coming to an end, to live happily, in peace.
All mortals from now on will live like one people, united, and peacefully working towards a common prosperity.
You should regard the whole world as your own country with common laws, a country where the best and the brightest rule, regardless of race.
I do not separate people, as do the narrow-minded, into Greeks and barbarians. I am not interested in the origin or race of citizens. I only distinguish them on the basis of their virtue. For me each good foreigner is a Greek and each bad Greek is worse than a barbarian.
If ever differences arose, never resort to arms, but resolve them peacefully. If need be, I will serve as your arbitrator. Do not consider God as a dictatorial Ruler, but as Father of all, so that your conduct would resemble the cohabitation of siblings within one family.
On my part, I consider all of you equal, white or dark, and I would like you not to be only plain subjects of my Commonwealth, but all shareholders, all partners.
To the extent it is in my power, I shall try to accomplish all that I promise. Keep the oath we are taking with the libation tonight like a Contract of Love"
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