Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

ALEXANDER'S CHARGES. 129Philip's horse was defeated early in the day by the vigorousonset of the Athenians. Lysicles rasldy ventured to followup this yet dubious advantage by a pursuit conducted in thevisionary belief that victory hatl thereby been won. ButPhilip retrieved his loss by the vigorous use of the phalanx.The long spears of the Macedonians bore down everytliing.The battle was reestablished at this point, and the splendidenergy of young Alexander, shown in his determined chargesat the head of the Thessalian horse, — in which he provedalready that power to use cavalry which was always one ofhis strongest points, — enabled the Macedonians at this momentto overcome the enemy's right, where in the van of theallied array fought the Theban Sacred Band, so long the rightarm of brave Epaminondas. This band of lovers, bound togetherby oaths of fidelity and ties of personal affection, diedto the last man whei-e they stood. Philip was enabled tobreak the ranks of the enemy on the right. The left took toflight before enthusiastic Alexander. Sharply advancing hiscentre at this juncture, Philip completed the defeat. Theallies were irretrievably beaten. It was the Grecian Waterloo.The loss of the Athenians was one thousand killed ; ofthe Thebans an equal number. Placing the lowest estimateon the wounded of eight to one, — twelve to one would benearer the truth, — the loss in killed and wounded was thirtysixper cent. Philip's loss is not given. It has been suggestedthat Philip had designed to try the oblique orderby the right, but that the impetuous ardor of Alexander inthrowing forward the left, which was intended to be refused,had prevented his carrying out the manoeuvre he had learnedfrom Epaminondas. This assumption, however, rests on buta slender basis.Philip was extremely moderate afterthis victory to all butthe Thebans. He wisely approached the rest of the Greeks