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

326 TYRE REFUSES TO SUBMIT.ancient wrongs and from bitter jealousy of Tyre. Tyre,queen city ofthe coast, also sent ambassadors, headed by theson of King Azemilcus, who himself was also with Autophradates,tendering submission, provided, however, Alexanderwould not enter the city.Alexander replied that he desiredto come and sacrifice to the Tyrian Hercules. To this theTyrians made objection, because atEphesus Alexander hadmarshaled his whole army at the gates of the temple ofDiana ; and such an entry meant absolute surrrender of aUtheir liberties.For Alexander, once in possession, might notbe willing to vacate. They had not so admitted Persia, andwould not Alexander. They were open to be persuaded totransfertheir allegiance and fleet to Alexander's service, butnot their life, liberty and pursuit of hai^piness. They nodoubt wished to keep their city free to join whichever kingmight eventually prove the victor. They knew their importanceboth to Darius and to Alexander, and did not proposeto yield it up in exchange for mere uncertainties. If Dariuswon — as still seemed farfrom unlikely — they would profitby being the only Phoenician city which had retained itsloyalty. If Darius should be again beaten, they could stilloffer a stanch resistance, and perhaps make their own terms.Their argument was natural and sensible. But they did notknow Alexander. The city therefore refused the Macedonianovertures. The citizens shut their gates, and their king returnedhome to defend the city.Alexander had matured a sensible sequence in his plan ofcampaign : first, an expedition to Egypt, to complete the conquestof all the maritime cities of the Eastern Mediterranean,so as to neutralize the Persian power at sea ; and second, anadvance on Babylon, which he could undertake if Macedonand faithful Greece were, by the possession of the seacoast, putbeyond the danger of harm from Sparta and her Persian