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

XXXI.BESSUS. JULY TO FALL, B. C. 330.The murderers of Darius had retired, each to his own satrapy, to recruit,proposing to rendezvous in Bactria, there choose a king, and join in sustaininghim. Bessus felt confident of being elected. Before following Bessus, Alexandercrossed the Caspian range, and reduced the land of the Mardians andHyrcanians. At the same time he captured the relics of Darius' Greek mercenaries.On the shores of the Caspian he determined, in the future, to create afleet. Parmenio, from Ecbatana, had advanced along the north slope of therange to attack the Caspian tribes from the west, as Alexander did from theeast. This territory subdued, and Sparta having been neutralized by its defeatat Megalopolis, Alexander could safely advance towards the Caucasus. He setout for Bactria. Having gone more than half way, he heard that Satibarzaues,left as satrap in Susia, had revolted. Alexander turned on him, and inflictedsmnmary chastisement. This revolt showed the king that he must not cross theCaucasus until he had reduced all the territory north of the Gedrosian desert,and west of the Araehosian Mountains, to complete subjection, particularly assome of Darius' old officers held satrapies in these regions. He thereforeheaded south towards Drangiana instead of north towards Bactria, addingnearly one thousand miles to his task. Revenge on Bessus must wait.It had been understood by the conspirators who murderedDarius, that they should first disperse each to his satrapy,there raise forces, and finally join Bessus in Bactria, whenthey would elect a new Great King, and by their arms sustainhim. No doubt Bessus, who was Darius' cousin and themost prominent among them, had good reason to feel that hewould be the fortunate man. But no sooner separated thaneach of these conspirators began to distrust the others, andforget the common cause. Phrataphernes remained in Hyrcania,where Nabarzanes afterwards joined him. Satibarzauesfled to Aria, and Barsaentes to Drangiana. This lackof unity was a happy circumstance for Alexander.