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

224 ALEXAXDER STARTS.richest of countries, which it knew would be. and which in factwere, most lavishly distributed to all by Alexander. The generals,as we shall see, became greater than princes ; even theprivate soldier grew to untold wealth, compared to what he hadpossessed at home, in recomjiense for his bravery and toils.Having completed his preparations for home rule and foreignwarfare, Alexander felt that he could safely leave Macedon.His expedition against Persia, ostensibly to free theGreek colonies under Persian rule, was so popular throughoutGreece, despite the secret cabals of malcontents, always moreor less pronounced, that a force stated at seven thousandGreek allies and five thousand mercenaries was put at hisdisposaL As an assumed descendant of Achilles, he couldclaim an inherited right to lead such an expedition. Afterhis return from his Theban expedition to Macedonia, he hadspent the winter in the hard labors of preparation, alternatingwith sacrifices and games in honor of the gods. Of his twomost trusted lieutenants, he planned to take Parmenio withhim, and leave Antipater behind, who, though the queenmother,Olvmpias, and he were always at odds, was the onlyman on whom he could rely to carry on the governmentwisely and firmly during his probably extended absence.Early in the spring of 334 B. c, leaving with Antipater aforce of twelve thousand foot and fifteen hundred horse, withwhich he was charged to keep Greece in subjection, resistPersian fleets, and hold Macedonia against the malcontents oraspirants to the throne : and assuring Antipater's fidelity bytaking with him the latter' s three sons, Alexander marchedtowards the Hellespont. He had about thirty thousand footand five thousand horse, — a small force indeed with which toattack the mvriads of the Great King, to undertake an invasiondestined to chansre the ctirrent of the world's history. —and only the paltry remnants of such moneys in his campchestas he had been able to borrow.