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

354 ALEXANDER'S FRIENDS.tan influence still being exerted against him, with all thenational stanchness of that wonderful people.The king placed trusted men in charge of the receipt ofcustom. Coeranus was appointed to Phoenicia and Philoxenusto the Cis-Taurus region. Harpalus, just returned fromdesertion, Alexander made treasurer of the army chest, henot being rugged enough for field service. Harj^alus hadbeen among the small crowd of Alexander's intimates whowere expatriated when he himself fell under his father's displeasure.Alexander never forgot his friends. Harpalus hadbeen in favor, but, guilty of some misdemeanor, had fled, justbefore Issus. He was now recalled and put in charge of themoneys. A remarkable judge of men, Alexander sometimeswent too far in relying on his intimates.It was once a friend,always a friend with Alexander. Unqualified treachery alonecould warp his affection. Nearchus, later the admiral, wasmade viceroy of Lycia as far as Mount Taurus ; Asclepiodoruswas appointed viceroy of Syria, vice Menon, removedfor negligence. Menander was given office in Lydia. Clearchussucceeded the latter in command of part of the Greekairxiliaries ;Erigyius was made chief of the Greek allied cavalry; Laomedon was appointed provost marshal, as he waswell acquainted with the Persian language.Having made sundry other changes in the command of histroops, he marched on Thapsacus, no doubt drawing in someof the Asia Minor garrisons to reinforce his ranks. Hisroute was by way of the Orontcs Valley to Antioch and thenceeasterly ; and from Phoenicia he reached the Euphrates by amarch of eleven days. From Myriandrus to Thapsacus theten thousand Greeks had marched in twelve. This was closeupon twenty miles a day. It was early summer. Thapsacushad a much used ford and was the place formerly chosen byCyrus for crossing the Euphrates. Here Alexander's engi-