Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from the earliest times to the battle of Ipsus, , with a detailed account of the campaigns of the great Macedonian . probably to Bactria. He had againneglected to bar the onward march of the Macedonians atthis most available spot. So many deserters had straggledbehind the Persian army that it had become more easy toascertain its movements. Most of these made their way totheir homes; others surrendered to Alexander. All but de-spairing of catching up with Darius by mere pursuit, and hisarmy being much exhausted, says Arrian,
Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from the earliest times to the battle of Ipsus, , with a detailed account of the campaigns of the great Macedonian . probably to Bactria. He had againneglected to bar the onward march of the Macedonians atthis most available spot. So many deserters had straggledbehind the Persian army that it had become more easy toascertain its movements. Most of these made their way totheir homes; others surrendered to Alexander. All but de-spairing of catching up with Darius by mere pursuit, and hisarmy being much exhausted, says Arrian, but not unlikelybecause he was far from certain of the direction taken by the MUTINY AGAINST DARIUS. 421 Persian king, as well as because his rapid march had depletedthe commissariat, Alexander here gave his troops five daysrest. He made Oxodates, a man whom Darius had impris-oned for life in Susa, viceroy of Media in place of his case Alexander thought his treatment by Darius wouldvouch for his fidelity. He then marched to the Caspian Gates,thirty miles from Rhagae, in one day, passed through the defile,a march of three hours distance, and learning that the country. Ecbatana to Zadracarta. beyond was nothing but a desert, he sent Coenus out to for-age, in order to collect rations for a further advance. Darius began to fear that even flight could not rid him ofhis terrible pursuer. The farther he fled, the more his armydwindled from desertion. Might it not be wiser to turn andface the Macedonians, who were exhausted with the pursuit ?He called a council of his nobles, it is said, and advised onemore resort to arms. But his companions had not only lostcourage and their faith in Darius, — there was treason in the 422 DARIUS IN CHAINS. camp. There occurred a stormy scene, in which his abdica-tion was demanded, and Darius found that the ancient ma-jesty no longer hedged the Great Kings person. The dissen-sion was, however, smoothed over. His nobles for the momentcur
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade189, booksubjectmilitaryartandscience
