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

PHALANX IN DANGER. 313der's irresistible spirit led the way, and the line was somewhatdisordered and less advanced. The banks had been higherwhere they crossed ;they were more heavily armed, and theking's impetuosity had carried him and his immediate surroundingsahead of the line. Darius' Greek mercenaries hadattacked the phalanx with dangerous ardor. Not only hadthe Macedonian centre lost its alignment, but there had beenopened a gap in the phalanx towards the right wing, o\ving toAlexander's forward rush which the brigades on the right ofthe plialanx were trying their best to follow up. The Greeksand Macedonians were rivals in courage, and this gap bodedevil. Ancient hatred made the combat all the more bloody.The fray covered both banks of the riverand the main forditself. Both fought desperately ; the Greek mercenaries toreestablish the battle and earn the praise of the Great Kingand their promised reward ; the Macedonians not to be behindtheir own king in conduct, nor lose the name of invincible forthe phalanx. To yield their ground meant destruction to theMacedonian army. The lines came to close quarters, wheredarts were useless and swords were the only weapon. Herefell Ptolemy, son of Seleucus, and one hundred and twentyMacedonians of no mean rank. Despite utmost gallantry,the phalanx was in grave danger.But as usual Alexander came to the rescue.His wins: hadby this time driv^en the Persian left well away from its positionnear the river. For the moment he was hand free.Heading the hypaspists and the right brigades, while theCompanions followed up the initial success, and thus sustainedhis right, he wheeled about and took the Greek mercenariesin flank, tearing open their formation with a terrificblow, and immediately relieved the pressure on the failingbrigades. The danger was averted. Renewing the struggleunder better auspices, the phalanx at once regained its groundand alignment, and thenceforward held its own.