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

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

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XX.SARDIS, MILETUS, HALICARNASSUS. FALL, B. C. 334.<strong>Alex<strong>and</strong>er</strong> now marched on Sardis, whose rocky citadel might have kepthim indefinitely at bay. Luckily, <strong>the</strong> comm<strong>and</strong>ant concluded to surrender <strong>the</strong>place, <strong>and</strong> was h<strong>and</strong>somely re<strong>war</strong>ded by <strong>the</strong> king. Ephesus opened its gates,<strong>and</strong> many o<strong>the</strong>r cities sent deputations tendering submission. All such places<strong>Alex<strong>and</strong>er</strong> treated with distinguished generosity, reduced <strong>the</strong>ir taxes, madepublic improvements, <strong>and</strong> restored ancient laws <strong>and</strong> customs. Miletus electedto hold out. <strong>Alex<strong>and</strong>er</strong> seized <strong>the</strong> isl<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> Lade, comm<strong>and</strong>ing its harbor, <strong>and</strong>by clever management <strong>of</strong> his small fleet <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> forces, neutralized <strong>the</strong> Persiansquadron, which attempted to succor <strong>the</strong> city. Finally Miletus fell, <strong>and</strong>after an unsuccessful minor sea-fight, <strong>the</strong> Persians sailed to Samos.<strong>Alex<strong>and</strong>er</strong>now disb<strong>and</strong>ed his fleet,as he needed <strong>the</strong> men for l<strong>and</strong> service, <strong>and</strong> had scarcelyfunds enough to sustain it. This was, perhaps, a mistake. From Miletus <strong>the</strong>armj' moved on Halicarnassus, capturing many cities on <strong>the</strong> way. To this placehad retired Memnon <strong>and</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> able Greeks <strong>and</strong> Persians, determined onstanch defense. The king attempted to capture Myndus, west <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> town, asa point <strong>of</strong> vantage, but failed. He <strong>the</strong>n sat down on <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>ast side, <strong>and</strong>began regular siege-operations. These were long <strong>and</strong> exhausting ; but finallyMacedonian persistency succeeded, <strong>and</strong> Halicarnassus fell <strong>and</strong> was destroyed.Memnon <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs retired to one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> citadels, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> king left a forcebehind to besiege this, <strong>and</strong> provided for <strong>the</strong> government <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> l<strong>and</strong>.Sardis, <strong>the</strong> capital <strong>of</strong> Lydia, was <strong>the</strong> first city <strong>of</strong> importancewhich <strong>the</strong> programme <strong>of</strong> <strong>Alex<strong>and</strong>er</strong> required him totake, <strong>and</strong> he lost no time in advancing on this ancient residence<strong>of</strong> Croesus. Judging <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> modern routes, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>general topography, he marched by <strong>the</strong> east <strong>of</strong> Mount Idathough some authorities make him retrace his steps by way<strong>of</strong> Ilium. Parmenio had easily taken possession <strong>of</strong> Dascylium,<strong>and</strong> shortly rejoined his chief.Sardis was noted for itscitadel, which, built on an isolated, high <strong>and</strong> precipitous rock,<strong>and</strong> surrounded by a triple wall, might have bidden defiance

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