Chapter XCIII

SECOND AND THIRD ASIATIC CAMPAIGNS OF ALEXANDER — BATTLE OF ISSUS
— SIEGE OF TYRE.

Alexander cuts the Gordian knot. — He refuses the liberation of
the Athenian prisoners. — Progress of Memnon and the Persian
fleet — they acquire Chios and a large part of Lesbos — they
besiege Mitylene. Death of Memnon. Capture of Mitylene. — Hopes
excited in Greece by the Persian fleet, but ruined by the death
of Memnon. — Memnon’s death an irreparable mischief to Darius. —
Change in Darius’s plan caused by this event. He resolves to take
the offensive on land. His immense land-force. — Free speech and
sound judgment of Charidemus. He is put to death by Darius. —
Darius abandoned Memnon’s plans, just at the time when he had the
best defensive position for executing them with effect. — Darius
recalls the Grecian mercenaries from the fleet. — Criticism
of Arrian on Darius’s plan. — March of Alexander from Gordium
through Paphlagonia and Kappadokia. — He arrives at the line of
Mount Taurus — difficulties of the pass. — Conduct of Arsames,
the Persian satrap. Alexander passes Mount Taurus without the
least resistance. He enters Tarsus. — Dangerous illness of
Alexander. His confidence in the physician Philippus, who cures
him. — Operations of Alexander in Kilikia. — March of Alexander
out of Kilikia, through Issus, to Myriandrus. — March of Darius
from the interior to the eastern side of Mount Amanus. Immense
numbers of his army: great wealth and ostentation in it: the
treasure and baggage sent to Damascus. — Position of Darius on
the plain eastward of Mount Amanus. He throws open the mountain
passes, to let Alexander come through and fight a pitched battle.
— Impatience of Darius at the delay of Alexander in Kilikia.
He crosses Mount Amanus to attack Alexander in the defiles of
Kilikia. — He arrives in Alexander’s rear, and captures Issus.
— Return of Alexander from Myriandrus: his address to his army.
— Position of the Macedonian army south of the river Pinarus.
— Position of the Persian army north of the Pinarus. — Battle
of Issus. — Alarm and immediate flight of Darius — defeat of
the Persians. — Vigorous and destructive pursuit by Alexander —
capture of the mother and wife of Darius. — Courteous treatment
of the regal female prisoners by Alexander. — Complete dispersion
of the Persian army — Darius recrosses the Euphrates — escape
of some Perso-Grecian mercenaries. — Prodigious effect produced
by the victory of Issus. — Effects produced in Greece by the
battle of Issus. Anti-Macedonian projects crushed. — Capture
of Damascus by the Macedonians, with the Persian treasure and
prisoners. Capture and treatment of the Athenian Iphikrates.
Altered relative position of Greeks and Macedonians. — Alexander
in Phenicia. Aradus, Byblus, and Sidon open their gates to him.
— Letter of Darius soliciting peace and the restitution of the
regal captives. Haughty reply of Alexander. — Importance of
the voluntary surrender of the Phenician towns to Alexander.
— Alexander appears before Tyre — readiness of the Tyrians to
surrender, yet not without a point reserved — he determines
to besiege the city. — Exorbitant dispositions and conduct
of Alexander. — He prepares to besiege Tyre — situation of
the place. — Chances of the Tyrians — their resolution not
unreasonable. — Alexander constructs a mole across the strait
between Tyre and the mainland. The project is defeated. —
Surrender of the princes of Cyprus to Alexander — He gets hold
of the main Phenician and Cyprian fleet. — He appears before
Tyre with a numerous fleet, and blocks up the place by sea. —
Capture of Tyre by storm — desperate resistance by the citizens.
— Surviving males, 2000 in number, hanged by order of Alexander
— The remaining captives sold. — Duration of the siege for seven
months. Sacrifice of Alexander to Herakles. — Second letter from
Darius to Alexander, who requires unconditional submission. — The
Macedonian fleet overpowers the Persian and becomes master of
the Ægean with the islands. — March of Alexander towards Egypt
— siege of Gaza. — His first assaults fail — he is wounded — he
erects an immense mound round the town. — Gaza is taken by storm,
after a siege of two months. — The garrison are all slain, except
the governor Batis, who becomes prisoner, severely wounded. —
Wrath of Alexander against Batis, whom he causes to be tied to a
chariot, and dragged round the town. — Alexander enters Egypt,
and occupies it without resistance — He determines on founding
Alexandria. — His visit to the temple and oracle of Ammon. The
oracle proclaims him to be the son of Zeus. — Arrangements made
by Alexander at Memphis. — Grecian prisoners brought from the
Ægean. — He proceeds to Phenicia — message from Athens. Splendid
festivals. Reinforcements sent to Antipater. — He marches to
the Euphrates — crosses it without opposition at Thapsakus. —
March across from the Euphrates to the Tigris. Alexander fords
the Tigris above Nineveh, without resistance. — Eclipse of the
moon. Alexander approaches near the army of Darius in position. —
Inaction of Darius since the defeat at Issus. — Paralyzing effect
upon him produced by the captivity of his mother and wife. — Good
treatment of the captive females by Alexander — necessary to keep
up their value as hostages. — Immense army collected by Darius,
in the plains eastward of the Tigris — near Arbela. — He fixes
the spot for encamping and awaiting the attack of Alexander — in
a level plain near Gaugamela. — His equipment and preparation —
better arms — numerous scythed chariots — elephants. — Position
and battle array of Darius. — Preliminary movements of Alexander
— discussions with Parmenio and other officers. His careful
reconnoitring in person. — Dispositions of Alexander for the
attack — array of the troops. — Battle of Arbela. — Cowardice of
Darius — he sets the example of flight — defeat of the Persians.
— Combat on the Persian right between Mazæus and Parmenio.
Flight of the Persian host — energetic pursuit by Alexander. —
Escape of Darius. Capture of the Persian camp, and of Arbela.
— Loss in the battle. Completeness of the victory. Entire and
irreparable dispersion of the Persian army. — Causes of the
defeat — cowardice of Darius. Uselessness of his immense numbers.
— Generalship of Alexander. — Surrender of Babylon and Susa, the
two great capitals of Persia. Alexander enters Babylon. Immense
treasures acquired in both places. — Alexander acts as king of
Persia, and nominates satraps. He marches to Susa. He remodels
the divisions of his army. — Alexander marches into Persis
proper — he conquers the refractory Uxii, in the intermediate
mountains. — Difficult pass called the Susian Gates, on the way
to Persepolis. Ariobarzanes the satrap repulses Alexander, who
finds means to turn the pass, and conquer it. — Alexander enters
Persepolis. Mutilated Grecian captives. — Immense wealth, and
national monuments of every sort, accumulated in Persepolis. —
Alexander appropriates and carries away the regal treasures,
and then gives up Persepolis to be plundered and burnt by the
soldiers. — Alexander rests his troops, and employs himself in
conquering the rest of Persis. — Darius a fugitive in Media.
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