The Anabasis of Alexander : $b or, The history of the wars and conquests of Alexander the GreatArrian
History
The Anabasis of Alexander : $b or, The history of the wars and conquests of Alexander the Great
Arrian
Alexander, the Great, 356 B.C.-323 B.C.; India -- History -- To 324 B.C.; Iran -- History -- To 640
In this way had Alexander marshalled his army in front; but he also
posted a second array, so that his phalanx might be a double one.[410]
Directions had been given to the commanders of these men posted in
reserve, to wheel round and receive the attack of the foreigners, if
they should see their own comrades surrounded by the Persian army. Next
to the royal squadron on the right wing, half of the Agrianians, under
the command of Attalus, in conjunction with the Macedonian archers
under Briso’s command, were posted angular-wise (_i.e._ in such a way
that the wings were thrown forward at an angle with the centre, so as
to take the enemy in flank) in case they should be seized anyhow by
the necessity of folding back the phalanx or of closing it up (_i.e._
of deepening it by countermarching from front to rear). Next to the
archers were the men called the veteran mercenaries, whose commander
was Cleander. In front of the Agrianians and archers were posted the
light cavalry used for skirmishing, and the Paeonians, under the
command of Aretes and Aristo. In front of all had been posted the
Grecian mercenary cavalry under the direction of Menidas; and in
front of the royal squadron of cavalry and the other Companions had
been posted half of the Agrianians and archers, and the javelin-men
of Balacrus who had been ranged opposite the scythe-bearing chariots.
Instructions had been given to Menidas and the troops under him to
wheel round and attack the enemy in flank, if they should ride round
their wing. Thus had Alexander arranged matters on the right wing. On
the left the Thracians under the command of Sitalces had been posted
angular-wise, and near them the cavalry of the Grecian allies, under
the direction of Coeranus. Next stood the Odrysian cavalry, under the
command of Agatho, son of Tyrimmas. In this part, in front of all, were
posted the auxiliary cavalry of the Grecian mercenaries, under the
direction of Andromachus, son of Hiero. Near the baggage the infantry
from Thrace were posted as a guard. The whole of Alexander’s army
numbered 7,000 cavalry and about 40,000 infantry.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE BATTLE OF ARBELA.
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