Arrian Notes
ARIAN 1 Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ Μέγας A SYNOPSIS OF "Arrian The Campaigns of Alexander The Great" (356 -323 BC)
CONTENTS
Autumn 336 - Winter 334 | Europe and Western Asia 4
THE NORTHERN CAMPAIGNS 5
THEBES 9
THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER GRANICUS - Spring 334 BC 11
Leaving Cert Question 2000 14
THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACIES | ALONG THE AEGEAN SEABOARD 19
The Costal Campaigns 19
Miletus 19
Leaving Cert Question 1998 20
Halicarnassus 20
The Gordian Knot 22
2 3 AUTUMN 336 - WINTER 334 | EUROPE AND WESTERN ASIA
Autumn 336 MACEDONIA Philip II is assassinated, Alexander becomes king.
Spring 335 NORTHERN CAMPAIGNS Alexander puts down revolts of subject peoples.
DANUBE Alexander crosses the river, defeats Getae. DANUBE Triballoi offer surrender; Celts send envoys. ILLYRIA Rebellious Taulantians and other Illyrians are subdued.
GREECE Alexander destroys Thebes, receives submission of major Greek cities with the exception of Sparta.
Spring 334 HELLESPONT Alexander leads his army into Asia and visits Troy.
GRANICUS The Macedonian army defeats Persian forces led by western satraps. Summer 334 WESTERN ASIA Alexander takes control of Sardis and Ephesus.
THE SIEGE OF MILETUS Alexander takes Miletus by siege and disbands most of his navy. HALICARNASSUS Halicarnassus is captured, except for its citadel. Autumn 334 CARIA-LYCIA A l e x a n d e r a r r a n g e s n e w administrators, sends for new recruits.
Winter 334/3 LYCIA Cities of Lycia surrender to Alexander.
4 THE NORTHERN CAMPAIGNS
On Alexander’s succession to the throne, he assembled all Greeks in Peloponnese and asked for the command of the campaign against Persia, which had been previously granted to his late father Philip of Macedonia. In Athens, there was disquiet, but resistance collapsed the m o m e n t A l e x a n d e r approached. In fact, on arrival in Athens, he was granted greater honours than his father Philip.
In the spring of 335, he marched with his army towards Thrace, where the Triballi and Illyrians, w h o s e t w o p e o p l e s bordered Macedonia, were attempting to take advantage of what they saw as political instability in the wake of Philip’s death. Consequently, Alexander undertook to march to Mount Haemus in ten days where he intended to secure his b o r d e r s b e f o r e e m b a r k i n g o n h i s campaigns in Persia.
5 However, on the mountain he met a large opposing force of natives. The Thracians were well positioned and intended to use carts as a sort of defensive palisade. They hoped to send carts crashing down upon the Macedonian phalanx, as the men were climbing the steepest slope of the mountain. Alexander, who quickly realised that this could prove very dangerous to his army, came up with a plan that demonstrated his ingenuity. Considering that he would have to cross the ridge, he told his troops to break out of formation and go to either side. The others were to lie on the ground close together and lock shields. In this manner the carts could pass over them without causing any harm. The manoeuvre was very successful and there were no casualties. On witnessing this display of discipline and self belief, the Thracian troops flung down their weapons in a sauve-qui-peut action and fled down the mountain. According to Arrian, 1,500 were killed and only a few were captured. The remaining men, women and children fled to the “Pine Tree,” an island on the Danube.
Alexander heard of the Triballians’ escape and set out to engage them. Retracing his steps, he found them pitching camp and attacked. The tribesmen were caught napping and were completely unprepared for the oncoming Macedonian onslaught of archers and slingers. The Thracians held their position as best they could, but could not hold off the Macedonian infantry which kept coming in close order. Instead of shooting the Thracians, the cavalry began to ride them down in a series of fierce assaults all over the battlefield. Arrian claims that 3,000 Thracians died in this battle. Of the Macedonians, he says that a mere eleven cavalry and forty infantry perished.
Three days after the battle, Alexander reached the Danube, where he found warships awaiting him: they had come up and across the Black Sea from Byzantium. Alexander manned these ships with heavy infantry and sailed for the island to which Triballians and Thracians had fled for refuge. Fortunately for the Thracians and Triballians, he could not put ashore. Therefore, he withdrew his ships and sailed across the river to the Getea who lived on the other side. This was of course an enormous achievement for anyone and certainly left an impression on other tribes and leaders. On approach, they saw 4,000 cavalry and 10,000 on foot were awaiting his arrival (and were preparing to resist). Arrian points out that the sight of this opposition enticed Alexander all the more. He decided to cross with only 1,500 cavalry and 4,000 infantrymen. They crossed at night and concealed their landing.
They held their spears parallel to the ground in order to flatten the fields as they marched forward. Frightened by the fact that Alexander had managed to cross the Danube in one night without a bridge, and now confronted with the force of his attack, they fled to their town. However, Alexander maintained his pursuit so that the Getea now fled their town taking with them as many children and women as possible. Alexander then cleared the town of all valuables and razed it to the ground.
6 On the Macedonian’s return to camp, they met the representatives of the Celtic tribes who all wished to maintain Alexander’s friendship. Alexander, fully aware now of his power, decided to seek further recognition. He asked the representatives what they were most afraid of wanting to hear “You, my lord,” however, the answer he got was perhaps not to his liking: They were afraid “that the sky might fall on their heads.” Alexander later found out that the Autariates were planning to attack him. He embarked immediately to meet this challenge. Langaros (king of Agrianes) respected Alexander greatly, and offered to keep the Autariates occupied, as they were not much of a war-like tribe. Langaros was successful and as a result earned Alexander’s favour.
He then proceeded along the river Erigon on his way to Pelium, a town occupied by the Illyrian chieftain Cleitus, which was the most defensible town in the district. He halted at the river Eordaicus intending on attacking the following day. Owing to the position of the fortress, Cleitus’ troops were able to attack Macedonian forces from all sides. Cleitus, seeing Alexander’s approach, sacrificed three boys, three girls and two rams and moved to attack at close quarters. However, as the Macedonians looked like they were about to counter, Cleitus’ troops abandoned their defences. As the Macedonians approached, only the victims of sacrifice were left lying where they fell. At this point, Alexander sealed off the town with the troops still inside and made ready to attack – but the following day Glaucias (another Illyrian leader) appeared with a very large contingent of troops. Alexander decided to abandon his project of taking over the town. The Macedonian force was considerably smaller than Glaucias’. Glaucias then seized the high ground. Alexander marched with a force consisting of the Agrianes, the Archers, the Guards, and a squadron of cavalry 400 men strong. Glaucias retreated on Alexander’s approach. It still seemed however, that Glaucias and Cleitus had caught Alexander in an awkward position. Their commanding position on the heights was strong, with both mounted troops and other detachments armed with javelins and heavy infantry.
When Alexander withdrew, those confined within the town were all ready to attack. The country, through which the Macedonians would have to withdraw, was very narrow. The river to one side and the arduous foothills to the other meant that Alexander’s men could not even pass four abreast. Alexander therefore decided to draw up the main infantry in mass formation at 120 deep, posting on either wing 300 cavalrymen with instructions to make no noise and to obey orders smartly. He then ordered the heavy infantry to erect their spears, and at the word of command, swing them from right to left. The whole phalanx then moved smartly forward whilst swinging their spears causing it to execute various intricate movements. Alexander then ordered his left to form a wedge and advance to the attack. The enemy, shaken by the discipline of his troops abandoned their positions on the lower slopes. At that moment, Alexander ordered his men to clash their spears against their shields and release a war cry, thus frightening the Taulantians (dominant Illyrian tribe) who quickly abandoned the town. A
7 small party of enemy troops was still in possession of a hill by which Alexander would have to pass. He therefore ordered the Companions and the men of his personal guard to prepare for action and ride to the attack. Their orders were that if the enemy who had occupied the hill should still hold ground, half should dismount and fight on foot in close support with the mounted troops. The hill, however was not held, the enemy went off at a tangent towards the mountains.
Alexander then ordered the Agrianes and archers (a force of about 2,000 men) together with the Guards, to cross the river along with the other Macedonian units. At the other side, they were instructed to form up towards the left. Alexander remained on the hill to keep careful watch on enemy movements. On seeing the Macedonian troops crossing, the natives moved down with the intention of falling upon Alexander’s party, which would form the rear of the army as it withdrew. The main body of the Macedonian army raised a war cry, attacking by passing through the river. The enemy, under the combined onslaught, broke and fled. Alexander then ordered the archers and the Agrianes to advance to the river. With orders to launch a heavy onslaught of missiles, Glaucias’ men refused to venture within range, and the Macedonians crossed the river safely.
After three days, Alexander heard that Cleitus and Glaucias’ troops were encamped very insecurely, and decided to take advantage of it. In darkness, he took the Guards, the Agrianes and the archers along with the troops of Perdiccas and Coenus back to the river, and ordered the rest of the army to follow. Alexander immediately sent in the Agrianes and the archers to mount a surprise attack on a narrow front. Most were killed on the spot and very few were captured. None escaped. Cleitus’ first move was to retreat to the town, which he then set on fire and later he made his way to the Taulantians, where he sought refuge with Glaucias. Having defeated Glaucias and Cleitus, he received news of the insurrection of Thebes.
Question:
(i) Outline the events of Alexander’s northern campaigns. (30) (ii) What do you believe we can learn about Alexander’s ability as a leader from these events. (20)
8 THEBES
No sooner had Alexander concluded operations in the north than news reached of the Theban revolt. The Thebans were holding the Cadmeia (the Macedonian garrison) and were urging resistance to Macedonian rule. Alexander knew he had to act swiftly if his rule in Greece was not to be challenged. He marched at lightening speed to Pelinna in Thessaly, and from there to Onchestus (6 miles from Thebes).
Outside the city, he halted and resisted the urge to attack, he moved around the gates and finally occupied the area around the Cadmeia. Perdiccas moved into an attack position from his battalion not far from the enemy’s palisade, without Alexander’s consent, and got inside the walls. On seeing this, Alexander ordered a general advance to prevent Perdiccas from being cut off and placed at the mercy of the Thebans. Perdiccas was wounded. His men, joined by Alexander’s archers, boxed the Thebans up in the sunken road, which runs down by Heracleum. 70 archers were killed (incl. their leader Eurybotas the Cretan). Alexander launched an infantry attack at close order and drove the enemy inside the gates. The rout became such a panic that they failed to shut the gates behind them – many Macedonian’s passed in with the general scramble. For a short time, the Theban forces stood firm at the Ampheum, until, attacked by Macedonians from every side the failed to offer any organised resistance.In what followed, it was not the Macedonians as much the Phocians and Plataeans and other Boeotian towns who indiscriminately slaughtered the Thebans. They burst into houses and killed their occupants; sparing neither women nor children. The violence and unexpected nature of the attack, together with the importance of Thebes shocked and the rest of Greece. Many Greeks felt Thebes had paid the penalty for her betrayal of Greece in the Persian war. The sight of surviving refugees ,who streamed in to Athens in the hours and days following the devastating fall of the city, particularly disturbed the Athenians. Immediately, Athens sued for peace and reaffirmed its commitment to Alexander’s hegemony over Greece.
The Macedonians garrisoned the Cadmeia and razed Thebes to the ground. Any surviving women, men and children were sold into slavery. The other powers hurried to prove their friendship to Alexander. Athens began to prepare to resist a siege, while at the same time, assuring its allegiance to the young king. They did however refuse to surrender the Athenians, Demosthenes, Lycurgus, and several other supporters of the revolt (Alexander had previously declared that they were more responsible for the revolt 9 than the Thebans themselves.) He then returned north to Macedonia where he offered thanksgiving to Zeus, and celebrated the Olympian games at Aegae.
News reached Alexander that a statue of Orpheus, son of Oeagrus of Thrace had been sweating profusely. Aristander the soothsayer interpreted this as a sign that writers and poets would have much work celebrating the young king’s exploits and achievements.
Alexander left Macedonia under the care of Antipater and made for the Hellespont with about 30,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry. Passing Mount Pangaeum he passed through Abdera and Maroneiand from there on to Hebrus. Within 20 days, he arrived at Sestus. Numerous merchant vessels were required to get the men from Sestus to Abydos. On arrival, Alexander dedicated an altar to Zeus, Athena and Heracles.
He then travelled inland to Troy, offered sacrifices to Athena, and gave his armour as a gift – in exchange taking some weapons that remained from the Trojan War. From Troy, Alexander marched to Arisbe where his entire force had taken up its position after crossing the Hellespont. He then travelled onwards to Percote and the following day passed Lampsacus and halted by the river Practius.
The town Priapus, which lay on his route, surrendered to him, and he sent a party under Panegorus to take it over. Arsames, Rheomithres, Petines, and Niphates who were in command of the Persian forces had taken up position near the town of Zeleia. They possessed Persian cavalry and Greek mercenary troops. They met to discuss the situation after hearing that Alexander had crossed into Asia. Memnon of Rhodes advised the burning of all crops and gutting the towns so that Alexander could not remain in the country - Arsites said he would not condone this slash and burn policy; the other Persian agreed. Memnon being Greek was not fully trusted. He was however, the only one who appreciated the danger that Alexander represented. Meanwhile, the Macedonians were advancing in battle order upon the river Granicus.
10 THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER GRANICUS - Spring 334 BC
Parmenio was placed in command of the left wing, while Alexander moved over to the right along with Philotas and the Companion Cavalry, the archers and Agrianes. The Guard's Battalions, under the command of Nicanor, were also present along with the infantry battalions of Perdiccas, Coenus and Amyntas and the troops under Amyntas' son Philip.
The Macedonians were slightly outnumbered by the Persians, who had about 40,000 men altogether (20,000 cavalry and 20,000 foreign mercenaries on foot) compared with the Macedonian's 30,000 infantry and just 5,000 Calvary. But the Persians had committed a grave, and ultimately fatal error in positioning their mounted troops, at the front of their army, on the banks, while the infantry were forced to stay at the rear.
The Persians were waiting for Alexander to cross first so that they could fall on his men as they were struggling up out of the water. After an awed hush on the banks, Alexander led the charge forward. First were Amyntas with the advanced scouts and the Paeonians, along with Ptolemy's infantry battalion and Socrates' cavalry squadron. Alexander himself then followed at the head of the right wing, shouting encouragement to his men. The Persians desperately flung missiles at the first Macedonians out of the water, namely the men under Amyntas and Socrates; but they could not keep them back and so engaged them in hand to hand combat, with the Macedonians furiously trying to push themselves out of the river and on to the land, and the Persians trying equally hard to prevent them. Alexander's men had a hard time contending with the dexterous Persian lances as well as the horses of the cavalry, who were perched at an advantageous height on the shore. Memnon and his sons were there, fighting in the thick of the battle.
11 The Macedonians Prepare to Cross the Granicus
Arrian describes the battle as a cavalry battle with infantry tactics. Alexander himself charged straight across for the Persian commanders and a violent struggle ensued around him, in the course of which his spear was broken. He was unable to obtain another from Aretes, who had the same problem, but Demaratus, one of his personal bodyguards, gave him his. Alexander knocked Mithridates, Darius' son-in-law, from off his horse, killing him. In the heat of battle Rhoesaces struck off part of Alexander’s helmet in an effort to take his head; Alexander immediately thrust his spear into Rhoesaces’s chest. While this was going on, Spithridates was poised behind Alexander with his sword raised, but Cleitus (whom Alexander later murdered in a drunken brawl) hit him from behind before he could strike the fatal blow.
12 Army Dispositions
At this stage, the Persians began to weaken, their light lances proving inferior to the long cornel wood spears of the Macedonian Sarissa. Moreover, their Cavalry at the front were susceptible to the more mobile, lightly armed Macedonian troops. Soon, the Persian centre gave way, and both wings thereafter collapsed. The Persians began to flee in panic from the victorious Macedonians. According to Arrian, about 1000 of them were killed before Alexander abandoned his pursuit. He now turned his attention to the Greek mercenaries who were still standing about in a bewildered cluster on the Persian side. Alexander had them surrounded and massacred. About 2000 of the survivors were taken prisoner.
Many Persians of high rank and distinction perished in the carnage, amongst them; Spithridates the satrap of Lydia, Mithrobuzanes governor of Cappadocia and two men close to Darius himself: Arbupales his son, and Mithridates his son-in-law. Arsites, who had been Governor of northern Phrygia, fled into Phrygia where he committed
13 suicide. Only about 120 Macedonians were killed; of these, about 25 were of the Companion Cavalry and 60 other mounted troops, and about 30 infantrymen. All the dead were buried with their arms and equipment on the day after the battle. The Persian dead were also buried. Alexander visited the Greek wounded and sent the Greek prisoners back to Athens as slaves along with 300 suits of Persian armour.
Alexander now appointed Calas to Arsites' satrapy of northern Phrygia and pardoned all the natives who surrendered to him. Parmenio was sent to Dascylium, which fell without a problem. Alexander then made for Sardis, and while he was still eight or nine miles away he received word that it had surrendered. The bulk of the Macedonians then halted at the river Hermus and Amyntas was sent to occupy the fortress in the city. Alexander treated Mithrines and the Sardinians well and gave them their freedom. At the acropolis at Sardis he built a temple to Olympian Zeus, a thunderstorm confirmed his opinion that it was a good site for doing so.
Leaving Cert Question 2000
(i) The Persian leaders, including Memnon of Rhodes, met to decide how to deal with Alexander shortly after his arrival in Asia Minor (a) What options did they discuss, and why did they decide to meet Alexander in battle at the river Granicus? (b) Give a brief outline of the course of this battle.
14 Mistakes by Persians before the battle:
The Persian forces were commanded by Arsames, Rheomithres, Petines, and Niphates who were helped by Spithridates the Satrap of Lydia and Ionia. Arisites governor of northern Phrygia was also present, as was the Greek Mercenary, General Memnon of Rhodes. Their intelligence reports had confirmed that Alexander had indeed crossed the Hellespont into Asia. Memnon of Rhodes, who had a good strategic understanding
15 of the situation, advised against any military engagement of the Macedonian forces. Instead, he suggested a scorched earth policy. His reasons for doing so were as follows:
a) Alexander was present in person where Darius was not b) The Macedonian lines of supply were at best shaky, and as they were relatively isolated in a foreign country, it would have been easy to starve Alexander back across the Hellespont.
Arisites the Phrygian governor rejected this proposal, insisting that not one house belonging to his subjects should be destroyed. The other commanders concurred and were no doubt mistrustful of Memnon’s Greek nationality.
The Battle:
As Alexander advanced in battle order upon the river Granicus he was advised by Parmenio not to force an engagement at this point. Characteristically, Alexander ignored his cautious general’s advice, claiming that he would have been ashamed if a trickle of water the seize of the Granicus should stop him. Alexander placed Parmenio in over all command of the left wing of the army. On Alexander’s right were Philotas, Parmenio’s son, the Companion Cavalry, the Archers and the Agrianians. Attached to Philotas’ divisions were those of Amyntas, who commanded the Paeonians, the Lancers and Socrates‘ squadron. On the left of these divisions were; the Guards battalions, commanded by Parmenio’s son Nicanor, the infantry battalions of Perdiccas and the infantry. The advance position of the left wing was held by the Theslian Cavalry under Calais’ son Harpalus, these were supported by the allied cavalry. Immediately on their right, the infantry battalions extended to the centre of the army as a whole.
Tactical errors by Persians during the battle:
16 The banks of the river Granicus were extremely steep, and the Persians decided to take advantage of this by placing their cavalry along a very broad front with the infantry in the rear. This was a serious tactical blunder, because the cavalry were prevented from being able to charge. Furthermore, the Persian infantry units, who according to Arrian numbered 20,000, were prevented from gaining access to the battle by the mounted troops. In the first onslaught, the Macedonians suffered severely owing to their difficulty in securing a foothold on the other side of the river. Alexander led the attack on the right, but such was the slow pace of advance that Arrian describes the battle as being a cavalry engagement with infantry tactics. The tide slowly turned in favour of the Macedonians, their discipline combined with the sheer weight of their attack, and the advantage of the long cornel-wood spear over the light lances of the Persians, began to tell. During the engagement , Alexander caught sight of Darius’ son- in-law Mithridates. He struck him in the face with one of his spears and hurled the Persian to the ground. Rhoesaces then charged at Alexander and struck him on his head with his scimitar, slicing off part of his helmet. While Alexander was dealing with Rhoesaces, Spithridates came up behind Alexander and was just about to kill him when Cleitus severed Spithridates arm at the shoulder. Meanwhile, the Macedonian units were streaming across the river. The lightly armed Macedonian troops had managed to force their way in-between the Persian cavalry and were inflicting heavy losses on the Persians. As a result, the Persian centre collapsed, both wings of the Persian cavalry were the routed with about 1,000 men killed.
Alexander checked his pursuit of the fleeing Persians in order to turn his attention to the remaining units of foreign mercenaries. Numbed and shocked by the rapidity of the Persian collapse, these Mercenaries had failed to react, and as a result, had maintained their position and not taken part in the battle. Alexander had them surrounded by horse and infantry and ordered that they be butchered. According to Arrian, the Macedonian losses numbered a mere 25 of the Companion cavalry.
17 Consequences of the Victory:
1. Alexander now had a foothold in Persia. 2. He had secured his lines of supply. 3. Huge boost in morale for his men.
The Macedonians Phalanx of 256 fighting men, the Syntagma
18
THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACIES | ALONG THE AEGEAN SEABOARD
He then left Sardis, leaving Asander the son of Philotas as Governor of Lydia with an adequate supply of troops. It was around that time that Amyntas the son of Antiochus deserted with the mercenary garrison of Ephesus, Alexander's next destination. He reached the city in three days and took it without any substantial resistance. He restored democratic institutions, displacing the old Persian autocratic system, and transferred taxes previously paid to Persia to the temple of Artemis. However he had to make sure to pacify the people when they tried to kill everyone who had been sympathetic to Persian rule. He acted in a fair, moderate and statesmanlike manner as a result of which, according to Arrian, "his popularity never stood higher than it did on this occasion” by his handling of the situation at Ephesus.
Immediately following this the Macedonians spread out and took over large sections of the surrounding countryside, Parmenio being dispatched to Magnesia and Tralles and Alcimachus to the Aolian and Ionian towns. No great resistance was experienced at any of these places, the Macedonians being welcomed since they restored democratic governments and gave the people their freedom. Alexander himself sojourned at Ephesus for a while, where he sacrificed to Artemis and paraded his troops in full armour, and then marched for Miletus. That city's Persian Governor Hegisistratus had already offered to surrender to Alexander ,but had changed his mind at the promise of Persian naval aid and was holding out, in spite of the fact that the garrison had deserted the city's outer defences. Alexander occupied this area with ease. Before the Persian fleet could get there to salvage the doomed city, Nicanor arrived with 160 ships.
THE COSTAL CAMPAIGNS
Miletus
19 In spite of the fact that Nicanor's fleet was anchored at Lade, just off Miletus, he decided not to risk a naval engagement with the numerically superior Persians. Instead, he besieged Miletus itself, attacking the walls with his siege engines and battering rams. Meanwhile, Nicanor's fleet surrounded the city from the harbour, and when the city fell, they prevented anyone from escaping by boat. The Persians were still proving troublesome to Alexander from Mycale, so he sent Philotas by land to take the town. The Persian ships made just one brief attack on Alexander before retreating.
Following this Alexander disbanded his navy, which was costly to maintain and moreover was no longer of any real use to him since he was firmly established on Land. He was also concerned that Athenians, whom he felt that he could not trust, manned the navy.
Leaving Cert Question 1998
(i) (a) Why did Alexander dismiss his fleet after the capture of Miletus and put his trust instead in his coastal policy? (b) What risks do you consider he ran by leaving himself without a fleet?
HALICARNASSUS
His next major move was to Halicarnassus, which was heavily occupied by Persian troops including Memnon of Rhodes himself. After beating back a Persian sortie at the gates, he was diverted to Myndas, acting on information that that city was ready to surrender to him. However, the defenders of Myndus put up a fight and Alexander, who had brought no rams, artillery or ladders with him, in the mistaken belief that they were ready to give the city up, was unable to take it. Instead he returned to Halicarnassus, where he filled in a huge trench outside the walls and mounted his artillery there. After nightfall, the Persians attempted to set fire to the Greek machinery, but they were beaten back and lost 170 men in the process.
Shortly after this the city was very nearly taken after two drunk soldiers from Perdiccass's battalion attacked the walls of the town alone one evening, drawing out the
20 Persian defenders who were soundly beaten back by the rest of the same battalion who had rushed out. The Macedonians managed to destroy two towers and almost succeeded in taking the city; the incident showed how precarious the Persian defence really was. Philotas and Helanicus deftly repelled another Persian raid on Alexander’s machinery the following day
A few days afterwards, Alexander attacked a breach in the wall, diverting the enemy's attention and drawing them out, while another division under Ptolemy, the Captain of the Royal Guard, attacked the Trypylium. Both these offensives caused massive damage to the Persian side; many of the men who came out against Alexander were unable to get back inside, the gates having been shut too soon; they were promptly slaughtered outside the walls. Those who went out against Ptolemy at the Trypylium, perished when the bridge over the dyke, which they were all crowded on, collapsed. Those who survived the fall were shot to death from above. Ptolemy himself was also killed in this incident. All in all, over a thousand Persians died.
Following this, Memnon fled the city, having had key sections of it burnt. The Macedonians poured into Halicarnassus and put out the fires. Alexander then transferred his machinery into Tralles and had it razed to the ground. In preparation for a move into Phrygia he established a base camp in Tralles, and appointed Ada to the governorship of Caria. (This is the first instance in Arian of what could later be called a policy of integration or orientalism.)
Having sent all the newly married men home for the winter ("No act of Alexander's", says Arrian, "ever made him better beloved by his native troops."), Alexander pressed on to Phaselis where he overwhelmed a Pisidian fortress. He then received word that Alexandros the son of Aeropus had been plotting against him with the aid of Amyntas who had previously defected to Darius. An omen - a sparrow landing on Alexander's head - was interpreted by Aristander, the seer, to confirm Alexandros’s treachery and he was promptly arrested.
Following this, Alexander continued along down the coast, through Perga where then the city of Aspendus offered to surrender to him. He accepted this and also occupied Side and Scyllium. Then the town of Aspendus turned on him. The city was surrounded by a high wall and was situated atop a hill, but Alexander managed to get over the wall and the city fell without much difficulty. The inhabitants of Aspendus were forced to give him horses, 100 talents and to surrender their leaders as hostages.
21 Alexander had some trouble getting past Telmissus, which lay atop a narrow pass and was heavily guarded. However, he halted near it and made as if to stop for the night, whereupon most of the guard was withdrawn and the Macedonians quickly marched through the pass. Alexander made an alliance with nearby Selga and conquered Sagalasus, though with difficulty because this city too was perched on top of a steep hill. The Agrianes and archers led the assault, followed by the Macedonian infantry, and in this way over 500 Pisidians were killed and Segalasus taken. Alexander then took Gordium where he was rejoined by the troops who had earlier gone home. The Athenians sent a request to release some of their prisoners of war, but he turned them down asking them to return when things had calmed down.
Darius appointed Memnon the supreme commander of the Persian navy, responsible for the defence of the whole Asiatic coast. Memnon’s plan was to divert the war back to Greece and Macedonia. After obtaining the island of Chios he sailed to Lesbos, he took charge of the whole island except Mitylene, which refused to treat with him. He then blockaded the town and was thus in complete control of the whole island, he also sent part of his fleet to Sigrium; the most westerly point of Lesbos this stopped any aid reaching Mitylene. Before he could complete his work, Memnon died and on his deathbed he handed down his command to his nephew Pharnabazus, Artabazus’ son. The people of Mitylene found themselves cut off completely. They accepted the terms set down by the Persians; firstly, to send away the mercenaries sent by Alexander; secondly, to abandon the alliance made with Alexander and to form a pact with Darius. Lastly to allow their exiles to return. Once inside the town, Pnarnabazus erected a garrison and imposed a tax. Pharnabazus now set sail for Lycia while Autophradates proceeded to the other islands.
Meanwhile, Darius sent for the mercenaries under Pharnabazus’ command and formally appointed him to take over Memnon’s command. Pharnabazus rejoined the rest of his fleet. On his arrival they dispatched ten ships under command of Datames to the Cyclades islands and sailed with a squadron for Tenedos.
The Gordian Knot
Alexander travelled to Gordium; he wanted to take on the challenge of the famous knot of the wagon of Gordius. This wagon was said to have come down from King Midas. It was said that who ever could loosen the knot would rule Asia. Alexander was compelled to loosen this knot, contrary to advice; Arrian describes this burning desire of his to accomplish very difficult or near impossible feats as his pothus.
There are two conflicting legends to this tale. One says that upon inspecting the knot he took out his sword and slashed the knot open. The other suggest that Alexander
22 removed the peg that was going through the centre of the knot holding it together. Many people believed that the legend would come true and that night there was thunder and lightening which was thought to be an omen of affirmation.
Next day he started for Acrya in Galotia. He placed Acrya under the jurisdiction of Calas of Phrygia. Alexander passed through the Cilician gates previous to mounting a sudden attack under the cover of darkness. As he approached Tarsus, Arsames fled in panic. When Alexander reached tarsus he fell seriously ill and many of his physicians could not cure him. But his trusted soldier and physician Philip came to him with a draught. Previous to receiving this draught, Alexander was handed a note it suggested that Philip was plotting to kill him. Alexander handed the note to Philip and subsequently gulped back the draught the note was proved to be wrong.
Feeling better Alexander now made for Anchialus and then on to Soli. Soli had supported the Persians and they were fined 200 talents for their co-operation. The Macedonians now marched against the Cilicians holding the hills, they removed them from their positions and were soon back Soli where he heard news that Ptolemy and Asander had won a battle against Orontobates the Persian. He held the Acropolis in Helicarnassus with other towns: Myndus, Caunus, Thera and Callipolis. Orontobatess lost 700 infantry 50 mounted troops and 1000 prisoners. In celebration Alexander held games and made a sacrifice to Asclepis. Soli was allowed to keep its popular government.
The Battle of Issus
Alexander now started for Tarsus, he ordered cavalry under command of Philotas across the plain of Alea. He then went to Magarsus and offered sacrifice to the local Athene, then to Mallus for more ceremonial sacrifices. At Mallus he found Political unrest and settled it. While at Mallus he received a report that Darius and the whole Persian army were camped at Sochi in Assyrian territory. He called a meeting and was advised to advance immediately. Next day Alexander marched with the intention of attack, two days later he reached the Assyrian Gates. He took up a position near Myriandrus and was forced to remain there due to tropical storms. Darius had no apparent intention of making a move. His position was good flat open country suited to his army. But he grew impatient as Alexander was delayed with illness, celebrations, sacrifices and bad weather. Darius ignored the warnings of a Greek deflector Amyntas son of Antiochus. and was beginning to grow in confidence. He began to believe the grovelling courtiers who said that Alexander had no intention of moving further into Asia. Amyntas stood by his convictions but Darius believed what he wanted to hear. He abandoned his position and marched to Issus, passing Mount Amanus he established himself without being seen in Alexander’s rear. When he reached Issus he slaughtered any Macedonians left behind. The following day he moved on to the river Pinarus. Alexander did not believe that Darius could be in his rear. He sent men back to Issus to check the reports out. The reconnaissance party confirmed that Darius had indeed cut Alexander’s lines of communication. 23 Alexander assembled his troops and appealed for their confidence in the coming battle. He pointed out that they had the advantage of close fighting quarters. He stated that the Macedonians were far superior fighters to the Persians, he also remarked that the Mercenaries’ hearts would not be in the fight and that the foreign soldiers fighting on the Macedonian side were the best in Europe. Finally Alexander said “ of the two men in supreme command? You have Alexander they…. Darius”.
The Macedonians also had everything to fight for and nothing to loose. Alexander reminded them of everything they had achieved. He gave specific examples of great acts of courage and named the soldier in question. Alexander drew parallels between themselves and the men of Xenephon, who with a far inferior force to the Macedonian managed to defeat the Persian King at the Gates of Babylon. With this rousing speech his commanders came forward and clutched his hand in support.
Alexander ordered a small party to check out the road by which they would have to return. At nightfall he moved with his whole army to take possession of that gateway. They rested there and just before daylight they moved to the coast road. He spread his men out so the right was right at the foot of the mountains and the left was beside the sea. The mounted troops were kept in the rear and as soon as open ground was reached he ordered battle stations. Three battalions of the guard under Nicanor were sent to the right. With Coenus’ battalion on their left the whole forming a line right wing to centre. Amyntas’ troops held the outside left and next in were Ptolemy’s battalion, then Meleager’s. Craterus was in command of the infantry on the left. Parmenio was in command of the left wing as a whole. His orders were to leave no gap between his left and the sea.
When Darius learnt of the Macedonian advance he sent 30,000 mounted troops and 20,000 light infantry across the river Pinarus. This gave him a chance to get his army into position unhindered. He had some 30,000 infantry and 60,000 heavy infantry, known as Kardakes. These troops were drawn up in line as there was no space for any other formation. Facing Alexander on his right was a division of about 20,000 strong which actually managed to work itself around to Alexander’s rear. Behind the Greek mercenaries and the Kardakes was the rest of the Persian army; a great mass of light and heavy infantry; arranged in a greater depth than would probably prove useful. His army was said to be 600,000 strong.
When Alexander saw the space open out in front of him he brought the Thesallian and Macedonian cavalry divisions under his command on the right. He sent the Peloponnesians and other allies over to Parmenio. Darius recalled the mounted troops from the other side of the Pinarus and sent some to his right to combat Parmenio, on the seaward side, where the terrain was more suitable for cavalry battle. The others he sent to the opposite which was futile cause they would prove to be useless in the rough ground. He soon recalled them and sent them to the right. He himself took the usual Persian King position in the centre. Nearly all the Persian cavalry
24 was on the seaward side facing Parmenio, Alexander now sent his Thessalian cavalry with speed across to Parmenio with orders to keep their movements hidden behind the massed battalion. He sent his advanced scouts forward under Protomachus' command with the Paeonians under Ariston and the archers under Antiochus. The Agrianes under Attalus were ordered out towards the high ground at an angle to his main line of advance. this split the right wing into two separate prongs, one designed to engage Darius and the main body of the Persians on the further side, the other the units which had worked around the hill in the Macedonian rear. Cretan archers and the Thracians with the cavalry in advance of them; all units had a proportion of foreign mercenaries appointed to them. Alexander observed a certain weakness on the right, he also feared being outflanked at the end of his line. So he withdrew two squadrons of Companions from the centre and ordered them to the right with every precaution to conceal their movement; he further strengthened the right by a contingent of Greek and Agrianes mercenaries drawn up in line and so outflanked the Persian left. The Persians on the hills remained passive; indeed they were easily dislodged when they were attacked. They retreated further up the mountainside, this meant that Alexander could use the men originally intended to fight against them for the main attack. 300 men kept an eye on them.
Every now and again during the advance Alexander halted his troops, giving the impression that time was on his side. Darius made no move. In many places the river bank was steep and the places which were less steep were re-enforced with stockades. All this suggested to Alexander’s troops that Darius did not have the stomach for a fight. The two armies were now almost in striking distance. Alexander began to rouse his troops to action, calling them by name, rank and distinctions; he even called out to the mercenaries. His army replied with the roar "Wait no longer.... forward to assault"
Alexander advanced at a deliberate pace for, too rapid an advance would cause a loss of formation. However, once in range of missiles he himself on the right wing. All the while Alexander was conscious of the need to cross the open ground quickly as the slower they went the more damage would be done by the Persian archers. The Persian left collapsed as soon as Alexander and his Companion cavalry came on top of him. However, the centre was not fairing too well, here some troops had moved over to the right and left a gap in the line; plus in contrast to Alexander who was already crossed the stream, they found the steep bank extremely difficult to climb. With Alexander's
25 triumph plain in their eyes they endeavoured to equal his success. The age-old racial rivalry further embittered the fight. It was here that Ptolemy, son of Seleucus lost his life with about 120 other Macedonian men of distinction. Alexander’s right wing now swung in towards the centre, they forced Darius' Greeks back from the river and then, outflanking the broken enemy left, delivered a flank attack on the mercenaries and were soon cutting them to pieces.
The Persians facing Alexander's Thessalins refused to remain inactive, but charged across the in a furious onslaught. The cavalry fighting was desperate and the Persians only broke when they new the Greek mercenaries were cut off by the Macedonians and Darius himself was in flight. That was the signal for a rout, and in the slaughter that ensued almost as many were trampled to death by their friends as were being cut down by their enemy. The Persians had equally severe losses in infantry and cavalry. Darius fled the moment he saw Alexander crush the Persian left, he raced away staying in his chariot for as long as possible. He was forced to abandon it when the terrain became unfavourable, he dropped his shield stripped off his mantle and even left his bow in the chariot. He leapt on his horse and rode for his life. While daylight held he was relentlessly pursued by Alexander, however in the darkness called off the chase to the next day; but not before taking possession of Darius' possessions.
The Persian losses were huge, 100,000 were killed, including many men of distinction, Arsames, Rheomithres, Atizyes also Sabaces governor of Egypt. Ptolemy, son of Lagus states that in their pursuit of Darius the Macedonians actually crossed a ravine on the bodies of the dead Persians.. Alexander captured Darius' mother, wife (who was also his sister) and his children, he also took a few
26 Persian noble ladies. However, he did not find much wealth in Darius' tent as he sent most of his treasure to Damascus. In fact he only found a mere 3,000 talents, he subsequently sent Parmenio to retrieve the treasure at the headquarters in Damascus. In the battle Alexander was injured by a sword in the thigh, nevertheless he visited the wounded men the day after the battle. He also gave a splendid military funeral to the dead. He also gave awards for acts of distinction during the battle. After this he appointed positions to various men: Balacrus, son of Nicanor became the governor of Cilicia; Menes, son of Dionysius took Balacrus' position; Polysperchon, son of Simmias took command of Ptolemy's battalion, who had been killed. Alexander also showed great compassion towards Darius' family, allowing them to keep their status and returned to them Darius' mantle and bow reassuring them that their kinsman was still alive. Darius himself made the best of his escape by riding through the night and met with Persians and mercenaries, in the end they were a group of about 4,000. They pressed on towards Thapsacus and the Euphrates they intended on putting the river between themselves and their enemy. Four men who had deserted to Darius; Amyntas son of Antiochus, Thymondas son of Mentor, Aristomedes son Pherae, and Bianor theAcarnanian all fled to the hills with their 8,000 troops and reached Tripolis in Phoenicia were their boats were hauled ashore. They dragged as many out as they thought would serve their purpose burnt he rest and sailed for Egypt via Cyprus.
27 ARIAN 1I
Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ Μέγας 28 Part II Table of Contents
The Siege of Tyre 31
Egypt 38
ALEXANDER VISITS THE TEMPLE OF AMMON 39
The March Into Syria