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

GORDIUM. 281viceroy of Phrygia, after listening to Alexander's proposals,agreed to surrender in a given period — Curtius says in sixtydays— if not succored by that time. Alexander acceptedthese terms, knowing that his own advance on Gordiiunwould cut off any reinforcements which they might be expecting; left fifteen hundred men under Antigonus, son ofPhilip, to see that the treaty was duly carried out; placedBalacrus, son of Amyntas, in command ofthe Greek allies, aposition which Antigonus had hitherto held, and after a restof ten days marched to Gordium, the ancient capital of thePhiygian kings.Parmenio shortly arrived, and the marriedmen who had been on furlough likewise joined at this point,bringing thirty-six hundred and fifty recruits with them,namely, three thousand phalangites, three hundred Macedonianand two hundred Thessalian heavy horse, and one hundredand fifty -i3^1eans.To Gordium also, Athens sentan embassy praying for therelease of the Athenian prisoners captured at the Granicusand sent to Macedonia in chain-gangs. Alexander saw fit todeny the request, with intent to show that he was able to holdGreece in subjection ;but he promised to consider the matterwhen the present expedition should be happily accomplished.He was now again on the high road from the Hellespontthrough Cappadocia and Cilicia to the heart of the Persiankingdom, which he might have taken after the Granicus victory.His extensive circuit along the coast had been wiselyand advisedly made. It had rendered safe his base in AsiaMinor, which less than this covild not have done.The king had finished his fii'st year's campaign, the lastpart of it during the winter season, among the mountains.There are few things which show the wonderfid capacity ofAlexander to face, and his men to endure, hardship so well asthe fact that the difficulties of a winter or a mountain cam-