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

ALEXANDER'S HOPES. 221Wise preparations were July made to leave Macedonia insafety. The chiefs of most of the allied nations were toaccompany the king, with their contingents generally officeredby the more prominent citizens, thus insuring the good behaviorof their respective countries.Antipater was to be left asregent, with a sufficient force of Macedonians to commandrespect.Entreated by Antipater and Parmenio to marry andawait the arrival of an heir before going forth, Alexanderrejected the advice as unworthy when Persia stood allreadyfor the fray. Should he await the arrival of the fleet of theGreat King on the shores of Macedon, or the crossing of theTaurus by his army ? If he expected to utilize Asia Minoras a base, there was not a moment to be lost. He must seizeit before it was stiU more strongly occupied by the enemy.The Persian dependencies in Phoenicia and Cyprus, whichfurnished the best mariners of the day, could put four hundredvessels into commission at the first call. All Greececould not equal this complement. The Persian armies werenumberless, and day by day might inundate Asia Minor.How would he then be able even to open his campaign ? Hemust do so now before the road was blocked.So complete were Alexander's preparations for a long, evenpermanent, absence that he is said to have given away ail hispersonal possessions and effects, — mostly to his friends to aidthem to defray the heavy expenses of equipment, — leavinghimself, as he laughingly said, only his " hopes." His conductroused his Companions to the highest pitch of enthusiasm,and many of the rich ones among them did the like.This anecdote is probably exaggerated. But it shows thespirit which prevailed, the birth ofenthusiasm.which lay in Alexander'sPhilip had died owing five hundred talents for money spentin perfecting the army. Before leaving Macedon Alexander