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

300 DARIUS CERTAIN OF VICTORY.Arsames, flying from the Ciliciau Gates, had first broughtthe news of Alexander's approach ; and Darius anxiouslylooked for his coming. But when Alexander, on account ofhis sickness and the campaign in Rugged Cilicia, tarried solong at Tarsus and at Soli, Darius, once more misled by thebad native advisers who surrounded him, and who hated andtherefore imputed doubtful motives to the Greek officers inthe royal suite, gave up his excellent position, and, sendinghis harem, baggage, and treasures to Damascus, under Kophenes,advanced through the Amanic Gates, which were onthe nearest road from Sochi to Issus.Darius was by no means alone in his belief that he couldcrush the invaders. Demosthenes is said to have gone aboutthe streets of Athens exhibiting letters from Persia to theeffect that Alexander was cooped up in Cilicia, from whichtrap he would never live to escape. All Asia, says Josephus,was persuaded that Alexander would not even be able tocome to battle with the Persians on account of their vast multitudes.On the other hand, Amyntas, who, we remember,had deserted from Alexander, advised Darius strongly againstleaving Sochi, asserting that the Greeks would surely cometo meet him. But Darius' Persian advisers, who prophesiedsmooth things unto him, prevailed.They assured him thatAlexander was already losing courage, and would endeavorto make his escape ; that only by speedy action could hecatch and punish this impertinent upstart, and thus preventfuture aggressions. Darius advanced towards his ruin. Ina similar manner, the intrigues of Darius' courtiers had previouslycaused the execution of the Greek Charidemus, whoforetold misfortune to the Persian king, if he hastily met theMacedonian army, relying only on numbers and the courageof his Persian officers ;for art was essential to meet art, saidthis wise but unfortunate man. Charidemus had for a momentheld Alexander's fate in his hands.