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

264 MYNDUS.mixed up in the murder of Philip ; Amyntas, son of Antiochus,who fled from Alexander's anger, though it would seemthat his flight was uncalled for ;Thi-asybulus and others.A siege of Halicarnassus became necessary. On the dayof Alexander's approach, as he was leading his men up to thegate opening towards Mylasa in the northeast, and was stillabout a thousand paces distant, a sortie was made by the garrison,and a sharp skirmish ensued, in which the Macedoniansproved too strong for the Halicarnassians, and drove themback into the city. The king then opened his operationswith vigor.There was a town on the western extremity of the peninsulanamed Myndus. Alexander thought that if he couldtake this town, it might materially aid in the siege by furnishinghim a convenient depot, and accordingly moved aconsiderable part of his forces — the hyjjaspists, the cavalryCompanions, the brigades of Amyntas, Perdiccas, andMeleager, and the archers and Agrianians — around Halicarnassusby the north to that point. In addition to theabove purpose, Alexander intended this movement to be ageneral reconnoissance to ascertain if there might not possiblybe a better chance of assault on the Myndus side ofthe city wall. Some of the Myndians had offered to surrenderthe place if he would come under cover of night ; butwhen he reached the spot his friends had probably been overpowered,and he was received with arms. Angered with thisoutcome of the affair, though not having brought ladders orengines, Alexander none the less resolved on an offensive ;and in the darkness of night attacked and undermined thewalls, and threw down one of the towers. But this did noteffect a practicable breach, and the Halicarnassian garrison,informed early next morning of the danger in which Mynduslay, hurried reinforcements by sea to the succor of the place.