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

XIX.BATTLE OF THE GRANICUS. MAY, B. C. 334.The Persian chiefs were awaiting Alexander on the line of the Granicus.Memnon had advised them to retire and devastate the country behind them.But overweening courage and jealousy of this wise Rhodian made them rejecthis counsel. Advancing to the river, Alexander found the Pei'sian cavalrydrawn up on its banks to dispute his crossing, with the infantry in its rear.order should have been reversed. Foot could better defend the fords. Of thisfaulty disposition the king took immediate advantage^ and vletermined onattack. He placed his phalanx in flie centre with the Companions An the rightand the Thessalians on the left.TheParmenio, commanding the left wing, operatedindependently, and sought to force a crossing below the Persian right ; whileAlexander, on the Macedonian right, endeavored to break the Persian array atthe main ford. The vehemence of the king's attack on the Persian left advancedthe Macedonian right so as to give the line the aspect of an obliqueorder. It was solely a cavalry battle, in which Alexander had four to oneagainst him. The fighting was stubborn ; splendidly gallant on the Persianside, many princes, nobles, and generals being killed ;bold, pertinacious, heroicon Alexander's. Finally, after great personal risk and true Homeric dariM;^^,,)''^the king succeeded in forcing a passage opposite the Persian left. The phalanxbegan to follow. Parmenio crossed below and came in on the Persianright. Thus compromised, the Persian cavalry was dispersed. The Persian infantry,which had not lifted hand, took to flight. The Greek mercenariesfought for existence, but without avail. The victory was decisive. No armycould again oppose Alexander in the open field in Asia Minor.Alexander joined his army at Arisbe, and next day advancedto Pereote. The passes of Mount Ida were foundto be defended, and the Persian army lay on the plains ofZeleia. Alexander headed northward along the coast. Hecould thus turn the Mount Ida positions as well as seek theenemy. Orders were issued against devastation or injury tothe people. Passing Lampsacus, he threw forward as scouts