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
At this juncture, while the Macedonians were doubtful as to the result
of the battle, Parmenio sent a messenger to Alexander in haste, to
tell him that their side was in a critical position and that he
must send him aid.[420] When this news was brought to Alexander, he
immediately turned back again from the pursuit, and wheeling round with
the Companion cavalry, led them with great speed against the right
wing of the foreigners. In the first place he assaulted the fleeing
cavalry of the enemy, the Parthians, some of the Indians, and the most
numerous and the bravest division of the Persians. Then ensued the
most obstinately contested cavalry fight in the whole engagement. For
being drawn up by squadrons as it were, the foreigners wheeled round
and falling on Alexander’s men face to face, they no longer relied on
the hurling of javelins or the dexterous deploying of horses, as is the
common practice in cavalry battles, but every one on his own account
strove eagerly to break through what stood in his way, as if this
were their only means of safety. They struck and were struck without
quarter, as if they were no longer struggling to secure the victory for
another, but were contending for their own personal safety. Here about
sixty of Alexander’s Companions fell; and Hephaestion himself, as well
as Coenus and Menidas, was wounded. But even these troops were overcome
by Alexander; and as many of them as could force their way through
his ranks fled with all their might. And now Alexander had nearly
come into conflict with the enemy’s right wing, but in the meantime
the Thessalian cavalry in a splendid struggle, had not fallen short
of Alexander’s success in the engagement. For the foreigners on the
right wing were already beginning to fly when he came on the scene of
conflict; so that he wheeled round again and started off in pursuit of
Darius once more, keeping up the chase as long as there was daylight.
Parmenio’s brigade also followed in pursuit of those who were opposed
to them. But Alexander crossed the river Lycus[421] and pitched his
camp there, to give his men and horses a little rest; while Parmenio
seized the Persian camp with their baggage, elephants, and camels.
After giving his horsemen rest until midnight, Alexander again advanced
by a forced march towards Arbela, with the hope of seizing Darius
there, together with his money and the rest of his royal property. He
reached Arbela the next day, having pursued altogether about 600 stades
from the battle-field.[422] But as Darius went on fleeing without
taking any rest,[423] he did not find him at Arbela. However the money
and all the other property were captured, as was also the chariot of
Darius. His spear and bow were likewise taken, as had been the case
after the battle of Issus.[424] Of Alexander’s men about 100 were
killed, and more than 1,000 of his horses were lost either from wounds
or from fatigue in the pursuit, nearly half of them belonging to the
Companion cavalry.
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