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

AN ECLIPSE. 357Eski Mosul, near ancient Nineveh ;but having heard fromcaptured Persian scouts that Darius lay on theTigris with alarge army, he £eai-ed that he intended to dispute his crossing.He did not deem it wise to try to force the passage of so greata river in the teeth of Darius' enormous army, though indeedthe army of Darius was his objective ;but preferring an openbattlefield for the final conflict, he altered his direction to apoint above, where, when he reached the Tigris, he would beapt to find no opposition. The army had none the less greatdifficulty in crossing the river on account of the swiftness ofits current, the ford being up to the armpits of the men.Indeed, the name of the river in Persian signifies " arrow."It flows to-day quite six miles an hour. It may be worthwhile to state that the limit of depth for cavalry is generallyassumed to be less than four feet, and for infantry less thanthree. A line of horse was stationed above, to break thecurrent ;and one below to catch those who might be carriedaway. Alexander crossed on foot, first of all, carrying hisSome of thearms above his head, to encourage the infantry.men joined hands, and not a soul was lost. This is in somerespects one of the most interesting cases of fording a difficidtriver by a large army in history. The place of crossing wasmost probably near Bezabde, — which better fits Arrian'srelation, — though some modern authorities put it nearEski Mosid.The point need not detain us.While resting here after crossing, there occurred a totaleclipse of the moon (September 20), usually an ominousportent ; but Aristander, the soothsayer (probably underinstructions from Alexander, who well knew how to sway thesuperstitions of his men), construed the startling event as afavorable omen.It was not the sun, ApoUo, the deity of theGreeks, but the moon, Astarte, the goddess worshiped by somany nations under Persian rule, which was obscured.Alex-