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

324 PHCENICIAN FLEETS.Each city controlleda greater or less extent of territory in'land.The enormous trade and the clever handicrafts of thesecities did not fall away asthey did in other towns which becameweakened by Oriental rule, but were cultivated by Persiato the utmost.The ships of these Phoenician cities were on duty with thePersian fleet, the squadron of each generally under commandof its king. But the battle of Issus, as above stated, materiallyaltered their footing. The home governments saw thenecessity of going over to Alexander. Had these citiesworked in unison they could have cut out for Alexander avery serious task. But each one harbored some petty spiteagainst one or more of the others, and their mutual jealousies,added to Alexander's clever manipulations, forestalledsuch action. The possession of Phoenicia was a conditionprecedent to Alexander's success. If Darius could retainhis control or influence over, or even the merely formal cooperationof these Phoenician towns, he could always be sure ofa fleet. If these towns deserted their allegiance, the powerof his right arm would be transferred to his opponent.Moving towards Phoenicia, Alexander was first met byStrato, son of Gerostratus, king of the territory of Aradus.The latter was serving with Autophradates ;but Strato volunteeredthe surrender of Marathus, his great and prosperouscapital city, and of the island of Aradus, near by, of Sigon,of Mariamme, and all the other territory subject to himselfand his father. This was a first and marked gain for Alexander,as will be seen. In token of his submission, Stratohad come with kingly gifts, and, in accordance with custom,he placed a golden crown on Alexander's head.At Marathus, where he tarried a few days, Alexanderreceived a letterand embassy from Darius, entreating thathis mother, wife and children be restored to him, and propos-