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

378 A GAP IN THE PERSIAN LINE.steadied Alexander's line, and good discipline would repairthis evil.Chagrined by the failure of the charge of the chariots,Darius gave ordersto set his entire centre phalanx in motionforward. This required some time. But the cavalry of thePersian first line, — Bactrians and Scythians, — in movingaway from its post to join the columns which were threateningAlexander's right flank, had to a certain extent been followedby the infantry line, which had also edged to its left asAlexander had to his right. This had produced a markedgap in the Persian front, which the second line should havemoved up to fill, but lacking orders, did not. * Alexander,who had not only been leading hisCompanion cavalry, butalso directing and personally rallying the dangerous and stilldoubtful combat on the right flank, when Aretes began tohold head against Bessus again turned to the front. Hiseye on the battlefield was like the hawk's for keennesshe instantly perceived the opening gap in the Persian line,and seized with quick apprehension this coveted chance.With a speed which no troops could then rival, — if, indeed,any have rivaled since, — he formed from that part of theMacedonian phalanx which was on the right — hypaspists,Coenus and Perdiceas — a deep column or wedge ;and headingit by his cavalry Companions in serried ranks, he wheeledround obliquely to his left towards this gap, and for the firsttime on this day raising that battle-cry by which the Macedoniansnever failed to shake the courage of their foes, he thrustthis wedge at the double-quick, with the impetus of a battering-ram,into the Persian line, straight at the place occupiedby Darius in person. Here, if anywhere, as at Issus, victorywas to be snatched by boldness.The Macedonian wedge struck the Persian line as a thunder-boltrives an oak. Hand-to-hand the bravest hearts of