Alexander called a hurried council of war after the banquet to consider the intelligence which had been just brought to him. He expounded8 to his lieutenants9 at length the views which he had briefly10 expressed at the banqueting hall. If Darius was in[138] the mind to fight, their policy was to give him the opportunity that he desired as soon as possible. The suggestion was received with enthusiasm by the majority of the officers present; but there was a small minority, led by Parmenio, that ventured to dissent11. Parmenio was the oldest and most experienced general in the army, numbering nearly fifty campaigns. He had often been extraordinarily12 successful, and Philip had trusted him implicitly13.
“I have never been able to find more than one general,” the king had been wont14 to remark, “and that general is Parmenio.” Accordingly his voice had no little weight. Even Alexander had at least to listen. The substance of his counsel on the present occasion was this: “Let us fight by all means; but let us fight on our own ground. If we march to attack Darius on the plains where he has pitched his camp, we shall be giving him all the advantage of place; if we wait here till he comes to attack us here, this advantage will be ours.”
Alexander listened with respectful attention, but was not convinced. “We cannot afford to wait,” he said, “an invader must attack, not be attacked. But perhaps we shall be able to combine your policy, which I allow to be admirable, and mine, which I hold to be necessary.”
The event justified16 the hope. We may attribute the result to good fortune; but it was probably due to the extraordinary power of guessing the probable[139] action of an antagonist, which was one of Alexander’s most characteristic merits as a general.
To put the thing very briefly, the king’s idea was this. Let Darius once get the impression that the invaders17 were hanging back, and in his overweening confidence in his own superior strength, he would abandon his favourable18 position, and precipitate19 an attack. And this is exactly what happened.
The Macedonian army was formed into two divisions. With one of them Parmenio hurried on to occupy the passes from Cilicia into Syria. There were strong places which might have been easily defended; but it was not Darius’s policy to hinder the advance of an enemy whom he felt sure of being able to crush; and the garrisons20 retired21 according to order when the Macedonian force came in sight.
Some little time after, Alexander himself followed with the rest of his army, taking the same route, and overtaking Parmenio’s force at a place that was about two days’ march beyond the passes.
And now came the extraordinary change of policy on the part of Darius which Alexander, with a sagacity that seemed almost more than human, had divined. The delay of the Macedonian king in advancing from Cilicia had produced just the impression which apparently22 it had been intended to produce. Darius imagined, and the imagination was encouraged by the flatterers who surrounded him, that his enemy was losing confidence, that[140] though he had routed the king’s lieutenants, he shrank from meeting the king himself. And now the one prevailing23 idea in his mind was that the invader must not be permitted to escape. Accordingly, though his ablest counsellors sought to dissuade24 him, he broke up his encampment on the level ground which suited so admirably the operations of his huge army, and hurried to get into the rear of Alexander. He blindly missed the opportunity that was almost in his hands of cutting Alexander’s army in two, and took up a position wholly unsuited to the character of his forces, but which had the advantage, as he thought, of cutting off the enemy’s retreat.
And now that I have explained the antecedent circumstances of the great struggle that followed, I must return to the fortunes of Charidemus and his friend. A rapid march performed under a burning sky had caused not a little sickness in the army, and Alexander had left his invalids25 at Issus, a delightful26 little town which had the advantage of enjoying both sea and mountain air. A detachment was told off to protect the place, and as Charondas was among the sick, Charidemus, though always anxious to be with the front, was not altogether displeased27 to be left in command.
But the change in the Persian plan brought terrible disaster on the occupants of Issus. It was an unwalled town, and, even had it been strongly[141] fortified28, it could not have been defended by the couple of hundred men under Charidemus’s command. When the Persians appeared, for it was naturally in their line of march, there was nothing for it but to capitulate and to trust to the mercy of the conquerors29. Unhappily the Persian temper, always pitiless when the vanquished30 were concerned, had been worked up into furious rage by recent disasters. Many of the prisoners were massacred at once; those whose lives were spared were cruelly mutilated, to be sent back, when the occasion served, to the camp of Alexander, as examples of the vengeance31 which the audacious invaders of Asia might expect.
Charidemus and his Theban friend, with such other officers as had been captured, were brought before the king himself. Charondas, happily for himself, was recognized by a Theban exile, who had attached himself to the fortunes of Darius, and who happened to be a distant relative of his own. The man made an effort to save him. “O king,” he said, “this is a kinsman32 and a fellow-citizen. I saw him last fighting against the Macedonians. How he came hither I know not, but I beseech33 you that you will at least reserve him for future inquiry34. Meanwhile I will answer for his safe custody35.”
Darius, whose naturally mild temper had been overborne by the savage36 insistence37 of the Persian nobles, signified assent38; and Charondas, who had[142] not been asked to renounce39 his allegiance, or indeed questioned in any way, did not feel himself constrained40 in honour to reject the chance of escape.
No one now remained to be dealt with but Charidemus himself, who as the chief in command had been reserved to the last.
“Of what city are you?” asked the king.
“Of Argos,” replied the prisoner, who was certainly glad to be able to make this answer without departing from the truth. To have avowed41 that he was a Macedonian would probably have sealed his fate at once.
“And your name?”
“Charidemus.”
The king was evidently struck by this answer. Though he had given the order for the execution of the unhappy Athenian whose death has been already related, and, indeed, had been the first to lay hands upon him, the deed had been out of keeping with his character, and he had already repented42 of it.
“Knew you your namesake of Athens?” he went on.
“I knew him well, my lord. He was the guest-friend of my mother’s father.”
Darius turned round to the Persian noble, a scion43 of one of the great Seven Houses, who stood behind his seat, and said, “Keep this man safe as you value your own head.”
The Persian took him by the hand, and led him to[143] the king’s quarters, where he committed him to the safe keeping of his own personal attendants.
The next morning the army resumed its march, following the same route that had been taken a few days before, but in an opposite direction, by Alexander, crossed the Pinarus, a small stream which here runs a short course, from the mountains to the sea, and encamped on its further or northern shore.
Though the young Macedonian’s life had been saved for the moment, he was still in imminent44 danger. The clemency45 of the king had not approved itself to his courtiers, though the habit of obedience46 had prevented them from questioning his orders. Indeed all the Greeks about the royal person were regarded by the Persian nobles with jealousy47 and suspicion. So strong were these feelings that Darius, though himself retaining full confidence in their attachment48 and fidelity49, thought it best to send them all away before the anticipated battle should take place. They were accordingly despatched under the protection of a strong detachment of troops of their own nation to Damascus, whither a great portion of the royal treasure and of the large retinue50 which was accustomed to follow the Persian king had been already sent. Charondas of course accompanied his Theban kinsman, while Charidemus remained under the immediate51 protection of the king.
[144]
Alexander, when his scouts52 brought in the intelligence of the Persian movement in his own rear, had hardly been able to believe that his anticipations53 had been so speedily and so completely fulfilled. That Darius would leave his position on the plain he had hoped; that he would crowd his enormous forces into a place where not a third of them could possibly be used, seemed almost beyond belief. Yet it was undoubtedly54 true. A light galley55 was sent out from the shore to reconnoitre, and what the sailors saw fully56 confirmed the news. Across the bay of Issus was a distance of little more than ten miles, though the way by land between the two armies may have been nearly double as much, and it was easy to descry57 the thronging58 multitudes of the Persian host, crowding, as far as could be seen, the whole space between the mountain and the sea. The day was now far advanced. But Alexander would not lose an hour in seizing the great opportunity thrown in his way. The soldiers were ordered to take their evening meal at once, and to be ready to march afterwards.
It is, however, with the preparations of the Persians that we are now concerned. Informed of the approach of Alexander, and perhaps somewhat shaken in his confidence by the news, Darius resolved to await the attack where he was, that is, behind the stream of the Pinarus. His main line was formed of ninety thousand heavy-armed infantry59. A third[145] of these were Greek mercenaries, and occupied the centre; the rest were Asiatics armed in Greek fashion. Darius himself took his place in the centre behind his Greek troops. It was in them, after all, notwithstanding the jealousy of his nobles, that he put his chief confidence. The cavalry60 were massed on the right wing, that end of the line which was nearest to the sea, for there alone was there any ground suitable for their action. On the left wing, reaching far up the mountain side, were twenty thousand light-armed troops who were to throw themselves on the flank of the Macedonians when they should attempt to cross the stream. Of these, indeed, nothing more need be said. They did not attempt to make the movement which had been assigned to them; but remained inactive, easily held in check by a handful of cavalry which was detached to watch them. Behind this line of battle, numbering, it will have been seen, somewhat more than a hundred thousand men, stood a mixed multitude, swept together from all the provinces of the vast Persian Empire. This mass of combatants, if they may be so called, already unwieldy, received the addition of fifty thousand troops, who had been sent to the southern bank to cover the formation of the line, and who were brought back when this formation was completed. There was no room for them in the line, and they were crowded into the endless multitude behind.
[146]
It was a novel experience for Charidemus to watch, as he was compelled to do from his place behind the chariot of Darius, the advance of the Macedonian army. He saw them halted for a brief rest, and watched the men as they took their morning meal. Then again he saw them move forward at a slow pace, preserving an admirable regularity61 of line. Never before had he had such an opportunity of observing the solidity of their formation; never before had he been so impressed with the conviction of their irresistible62 strength. Finally, when the front line had come within a bow-shot of the river he observed Alexander himself gallop63 forward on his famous charger, turn with an animated64 gesture to the line behind him, and advance at a gallop, followed by the cavalry and light-armed foot, while the phalanx moved more slowly on, so as not to disturb the regularity of array on which its strength so much depended.
Alexander and Bucephalus.
The terror which this rapid movement caused in the Persian left cannot be described. It was all the more startling because the Macedonian advance had before seemed slow and even hesitating. Nothing less than a panic set in among the troops against whom this sudden attack was delivered. The heavy-armed Asiatics had the equipment and, in a degree, the discipline of European troops, but they wanted their coolness and steadfastness65. Before they had felt the thrust of a pike, or the blow of a sword,[147] before even a missile had reached them, they wavered, broke, and turned to fly. The huge multitude behind them caught the infection of panic. So narrow was the space in which they had been crowded together that movement was almost impossible. A scene of frightful66 terror and confusion followed. The fugitives67 struggled fiercely with each other—had they shown as much energy in resisting the enemy, they might have changed the fortune of the day. They pushed aside the weak, they trampled68 pitilessly on the fallen. In less than half an hour from the beginning of the Macedonian charge the whole of the left wing of the Persians was a disorganized, helpless mass. It is true that the rest of the army did not show the same shameful69 cowardice70. The Greeks in the centre stood their ground bravely, and held the division that attacked them in check for some time. Then assailed71 in the rear by the Macedonian right returning from their own easy victory, they cut their way through the opposing lines and made good their escape. The Persian cavalry on the right wing also behaved with courage, crossing the river, and charging the Thessalian horse on the Macedonian left. But the miserable72 weakness of the Persian king rendered all their bravery unavailing. When he saw the line of the Asiatic heavy-armed waver and break, and perceived that his own person was in danger, he turned precipitately73 to flee, and his escort of cavalry followed[148] him, Charidemus being swept away by the rush, without having a chance to extricate74 himself. Before long the ground became so rough that the chariot had to be abandoned, and the king mounted on horseback, leaving in his hurry his shield and bow behind him. The flight was continued at the fullest speed to which the horses could be put till the king felt sure that for the time at least he was safe from pursuit. He then called a halt, and made his disposition75 for the future. His own destination was Thapsacus,[43] where there was a ford15 over the Euphrates, and whence he would make his way to Babylon. The greater part of the escort, of course, accompanied him. The young Persian noble, Artabazus by name, to whose charge Charidemus had been committed, was to make his way to Damascus, with instructions for the officers who had been left there in charge of the treasure and retinue. To the young Macedonian the king addressed a few words of farewell. “Truly,” he said, “the Athenian is avenged76 already. Well; I seem to owe you something for his sake. Take this ring,” and he drew, as he spoke77, a signet-ring from his finger. “It may help you in need; perhaps, too, you will have the chance of helping78 some whom I cannot help. My wife and child are, doubtless by this time, in your king’s hands, for they can hardly have escaped. I can trust[149] him. But there are others whom you may find at Damascus. When they see this ring it will be proof that they may put faith in you.” Then turning to Artabazus, he went on, “Guard this man’s life as you would your own.”
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1
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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brooked
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| 容忍，忍受（brook的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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invader
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| n.侵略者，侵犯者，入侵者 | |
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advantageous
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| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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expounded
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| 论述，详细讲解( expound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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9
lieutenants
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| n.陆军中尉( lieutenant的名词复数 )；副职官员；空军；仅低于…官阶的官员 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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dissent
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| n./v.不同意，持异议 | |
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extraordinarily
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| adv.格外地；极端地 | |
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implicitly
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| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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16
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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18
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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19
precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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garrisons
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| 守备部队，卫戍部队( garrison的名词复数 ) | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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dissuade
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| v.劝阻，阻止 | |
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invalids
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| 病人，残疾者( invalid的名词复数 ) | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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conquerors
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| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
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30
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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31
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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33
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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35
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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37
insistence
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| n.坚持；强调；坚决主张 | |
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38
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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39
renounce
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| v.放弃；拒绝承认，宣布与…断绝关系 | |
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constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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41
avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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42
repented
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
scion
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| n.嫩芽，子孙 | |
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44
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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45
clemency
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| n.温和，仁慈，宽厚 | |
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46
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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47
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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49
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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51
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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52
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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53
anticipations
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| 预期( anticipation的名词复数 )； 预测； （信托财产收益的）预支； 预期的事物 | |
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54
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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55
galley
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| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
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56
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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57
descry
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| v.远远看到；发现；责备 | |
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58
thronging
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的现在分词 ) | |
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59
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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60
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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61
regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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62
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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63
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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64
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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65
steadfastness
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| n.坚定，稳当 | |
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66
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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68
trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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69
shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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70
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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71
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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72
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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73
precipitately
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| adv.猛进地 | |
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74
extricate
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| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
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75
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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76
avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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77
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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78
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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