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

314 THESSALIAN GALLANTRY.On the left the Persian cavahy had crossed theriver, andattacked the Thessalian horse with fury. A fierce combatensued in which the enemy began by winning a marked advantage.Indeed, Parmenio was getting so decidedly the worstof the fight at this part of the line that, but for the effectof Alexander's wonderful impetuosity on the right, seriousresults might have followed. Yet this was traceable ratherto the Persian numbers and splendid conduct, than to anyfault of Parmenio's, who had carried out his orders with zealand discretion. The multitude of the Persian cavalry keptit. in one mass, so heavy and ii-resistible that it threatened tosweep the field like an avalanche. Only by constantly repeatedisolated attacks at different points, and by their perfectdiscipline, could the Thessalians with all their gallantry holdtheir ground. But though vastly outnumbered and all butcrushed, they would not yield, but clung desperately totheirground, rallying and returning again and again to the charge.The Companions themselves could not have done more noblework. Thus they kept up their blows as best they might.Darius, as was the rule with Persian kings, occupied in thecentre the position of greatest prominence. In a gorgeouschariot drawn by four horses abreast, and surrounded by hismilitary family, including all the grandees of the court, undercommand of his brother Oxathres, he must have been thecentre of all attraction. It was not long after the phalanxhad been reestablished before Alexander had hewn his pathclear through the Persian masses, and had headed for the verykernel of the Persian centre. It was straight for this royalgroup that the king at once began to carve his way. Hereit was, as at Cunaxa, that the battle was to be lost or won ;and Alexander, with his usual directness, made straight forthe centre point of opposition. Darius was defended by hiscrowd of nobles ; Alexander led his Companions. The Great