In the line of Alexander's march, an entrance into Cilicia was commanded by a pass over a mountain, where a very few men might have stopped the progress of a powerful army. This pass was commanded by Arsames, governor of Cilicia. Instead of defending it, on the approach of Alexander, the dastardly Persians fled, before the Greeks came in sight.

Alexander, when he gained the height, expressed astonishment at his good fortune; nor could he but perceive, that such an advantage, so readily abandoned by the Persians, gave a sure indication of his future success. Yet, in passing these mountains, he kept continually before his army, bands of light armed Thracians, who might secure him from ambuscade and surprise.

Tarsus, afterward the birthplace of the apostle Paul, a principal city of Cilicia, had been set on fire by the Persians, in order to plunder it; but the city was saved by the timely arrival of Parmenio. The ablest counsellors of Darius urg ed him to return to the extensive plains of Mesopotamia, where his innumerable forces might act to advantage; or at least, that his army should be divided, and led on to encounter the Greeks at different times and places.

Darius was especially induced to reject this salutary advice, by intelligence that Alexander was dangerously sick. He therefore hastened his march, and came up with Alexander, at the bay of Issus. Yet when it was ascertained, that the Macedonian army was near and approaching, Darius was greatly surprised and disappointed. He had entertained a vain confidence, that the Greeks would retire at his approach, and not dare to hazard a battle with an army like his. Indeed, had he possessed the talents of Alexander, army of the latter would not have sufficed his innumerable host for handfuls.

the

Darius gave the command of his right wing to Nabarzanes, to which he added light troops, composed of slingers and archers, to the amount of 20,000. In the centre of this wing,

B. C. 333.

of his

Thymodes was placed at the head of 20,000 Greeks, a power of itself sufficient to cope with the Macedonian phalanx. It was, indeed, the flower and strength army. The left wing was commanded by Aristodemus, a Thessalian, with 20,000 infantry. To these he added the most warlike bands of the allied nations. In this wing the king himself fought, with 3000 chosen cavalry, his body guards sustained by 40,000 infantry. Near these, were

1

ranged the Hyrcanian and Median horse, a powerful body of cavalry; and, finally, many thousands of auxiliary forces. In front of this array, six thousand slingers and archers moved forward to commence the battle.

The place for the battle was most unfortunate for Darius. A narrow, irregular plain, limited on one side by the sea, and on the others by mountains and declivities, enabled Alexander to display as wide a front as Darius, and gave a peculiar advantage to the Greeks, accustomed to manœuvre among hills and mountains.

Alexander drew up his powerful phalanx in front. The command of his right wing he gave to Nicanor, the son of Parmenio. Next to him stood Canos, Perdiccas, Ptolemy, Meleager and Amyntas; each one destined to a particular command. The left wing, which extended to the sea shore, was commanded by Parmenio, with Craterus, subject to his orders. The cavalry were ranged on each wing; the Macedonian and Thessalian on the right, and the Peloponnesian on the left; and before all, as was usual, light armed troops, archers and slingers were stationed.

When the armies now stood in open view of each other, Alexander passed before the front of his formidable line, addressing his officers and soldiers man by man. He en

couraged them to the contest, from motives of safety, interest and glory He reminded them of a series of victories gained, when victory was far less necessary, but never when it would be more glorious.

The conflict for a while was severe and dreadful. Darius did every thing he could to sustain his falling throne. Indeed, the Greeks in his army fought with great bravery, and in discipline were little inferior to the Macedonians. Had their numbers been equal, they might have influenced the fortune of the day. But an immense rout and confusion soon took place in the Persian army; and when the Greeks saw themselves contending alone against a superior force, such as were not slain either surrendered, or fled in 333. despair. Darius soon perceiving all was lost, with some difficulty effected his escape.

B. C.

In the camp of Darius was found considerable treasure; but what was most inestimable to Alexander was, the family of the unfortunate Darius. Among other royal personages, were taken Sisygambis, the mother of Darius, his children, and his queen, the beautiful and celebrated Statira, considered as one of the finest women of antiquity. The

ardent and youthful conqueror, on this occasion, displayed the highest sensibility and honor of a soldier and a hero. And his behavior to those noble captives may be compared with that of the great Cyrus before, and of Scipio afterward, on occasions nearly similar. He treated them with the respect and deference due to the elevated rank of their more fortunate days; and strove by commiseration, pity and tenderness, to mitigate the severities of their hard fortune. Indeed, his heart, subdued by the resistless charms of virtue, innocence and beauty, of a conqueror made him a captive in his turn. He afterwards married Statira,* and made her a second time queen, not of Persia only, but of Asia, Africa and Europe. Her second elevation, however, was soon terminated by a destiny more severe and dreadful. On the death of Alexander, she fell a sacrifice to the cruelty and ambition of those bloodthirsty harpies, whose first care was to exterminate the family of Alexander.

In a former chapter, we have spoken of the siege of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar. The taking of that celebrated city by Alexander was not one of his least brilliant exploits. Although conquered and humbled by the Assyrians, that queen of commercial cities had regained her former splendor, and had forgotten her ancient fall and degradation. The Tyrians, having sent ambassadors to Alexander, desired to know his pleasure, and declared their submission to his will. But when they were informed, that he intended paying them a visit, they, with equal modesty and firmness, sent him word, that although they were disposed to do homage to his will, yet, as they were an independent state, they could neither admit him nor the Persians to make their city a part in the war. This was enough for that ambitious conqueror. He instantly determined to try their strength. Tyre was probably the strongest city in Western Asia.

This great city was separated from the shore by a narrow strait of half a mile in width. Its walls were a hundred feet in height, and eighteen miles in circuit. Its provisions and naval and military stores were very great. As Alexander had little hope of taking the city but by land, he constructed a mole across the frith. This was done with vast

*The Statira whom Alexander married, was probably the daughter of Darius, and not his queen; though her name also was Statira. Ed.