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

348 THE NILE.friends the Greek mercenaries who had fled from Issus underthe renegade Amyntas, and thus being able to use them forthe defense of the country, as they had anticipated he woulddo, had attacked and dispersed the force, and massacred mostof them. This left him no means of offering resistance, andbeing moreover at odds with the population, Alexander gainedeasy admittance to all the cities of Egypt, besides enrichinghimself with «ome eight hundred talents in money. He placeda garrison in Pelusium, sent hfs fleet up the east branch ofthe river to Mempliis, and marched on the east side of thePARtTOMlOMEgypt.Nile to Heliopolis through the desert, taking possession byvoluntary surrender of all the towns ujjon the way. He thenadvanced towards Memphis, crossed the Nile at this point andsacrificed to Apis, the Sacred Bull, with Greek feasts andgymnastic contests. Alexander was always careful to treatthe religion of the countries he conquered with respect insteadof contimiely and outrage, and on this occasion desired to seewhat could be done to merge the feelings ofhis old and newsubjects by mixing the Macedonian religious customs withthose of Egypt.From Memphis he sent his army down the NUe to thecoast, the agema of cavalry, hypaspists, Agrianians and archerson vessels down the west branch, and turning towards