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

276 ALEXANDER'S STUBBORNNESS.that" he had made a path along the Pamphylian Ladders,and had marched over it."Perge, which was the key to the mountain passes, northand west, surrendered ; whether on account of this march ornot, does not appear. The town of Aspendus was willing todo the like, but demurred at admitting a garrison ;and Alexanderagreed to accept, in lieu thereof, a tribute from thiscity offifty talents — pay for his army — and certain horseswhich it had been in the habit of rearing annually for Darius.Thence he marched to Side, and here he put theusual garrison.The city was the last place of importance on the hitherside of the Taurus, and was situated near the point where therange comes to an abrupt end on the seashore.Alexander could now turn safely northward, and subduethe interior provinces ; for he had under his control practicallythe entire coast line of Asia Minor. There were but afew isolated and not important points left behind in a stateof blockade. He was preparing to besiege Syllium, a placeabout five miles from the sea between Aspendus and Side,when news reached him from Aspendus that the promisedtribute had been denied.Syllium was an exceptionally strongplace, and was held by Greek mercenaries in Persian pay,— men of a different stamp to the ordinary Asiatic soldierso that Alexander deemed it wise to turn from this fortressfor the moment, and march back upon Aspendus. The kingwas fond of hard tasks for their own sake. He was obstinateto a degree in his resolution ; but he had a strong enoughgi'asp ofhis general problem not to allow this natural antagonismto lead him astray. There was method in his stubbornness.There can scarcely be pointed out an occasionwhen it misled him. And on this occasion he concluded thathe would not waste time in besieging Syllium, but made arranjrementsto observe it instead.