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

236 MEMNON'S ADVICE.among whom were the Persian Omares, Mithrobarzanes, hipparchof Cai^padocia, Arsames, Rheomithres, Petines, Niphates,Atizyes, satrap ofGreater Phrygia, and others, nearrelatives of the Great King, and nobles of high degree. TheGreek mercenaries were part of the command of Memnon.Tliis was a very respectable force, which, well led, was capableof delaying and embarrassing, if not arresting, the Macedonianarmy.Memnon, though lia^ang only a subordinatecommand, volunteeredto the Persian officers the very sensible advice toavoid a decisive battle, to retire and to lay waste thecountryby burning crops, farms and villages, if need be, so as to cutAlexander off from supplies. For Memnon kept his eyesopen, had his own sources of information, and knew thatAlexander was but scantily provisioned and had little money.He offered to lead a large land force into Macedonia, andsuggested that this should be coupled with a naval expedition ;for the fleet was ready at hand. This admirable advice wasrejected, the Persian generals being jealously suspicious ofMemnon, not only as a Greek, but as a favorite of the king.They were conscious of their own personal bravery, anddeemed courage enough to make short work of the invader.Particularly Arsites refused to allow a single house to beburned in his satrapy. It was well for Alexander that Memnon'sojsinion was overidden. Having deliberated and agreedthat to give immediate battle was the one thing to be done,the Persians advanced, determined to dispute the further passageof Alexander on the line of the Granicus.Instructed that the Persian force was in that vicinity, andalways going straight for his objective, Alexander forgedahead with his heavy-armed troops in two columns consistingof right and left wing, the Macedonian cavalry on the right,the Thessalian and Greek on the left flank, the baggage and