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

432 THE MARDIANS.Alexander had clearly recognized the importance of Hyrcaniaas the future home of a Caspian fleet, and, as abovenarrated, had ordered Parmenio to march from northernMedia by way of Cadusia, along the coast through Hyrcania,and by that route join the army, so as further to reduce thecountry to subjection and open a road north of the Caspianrange.Alexander then turned back westerly from Zadracarta andmarched towards Parmenio and against the Mardians, a poorbut very warlike tribe, who were apt to interfere with thisscheme of a Caspian fleet, unless thorouglily subdued. Hetook the shield-bearing guards, the archers, the Agrianians,the brigades of Coenus and Amyntas, half the Companioncavalry, and a newly created body of horse darters ; leavingthe bulk of the army in camp at Zadracarta. Desj)ite thedifficult nature ofthe country, which, as above described, waswithout roads, heavily wooded, and affording no supplies (itsvery poverty, and the fact that Alexander had already passedbeyond their territory, inducing the Mardians to believethemselves free from attack), the king overran their land.His route lay probably between the mountain range andthe marshy forest-covered coast-land, along the foothills.The Caspian used to be higher in elevation than it now is.How much this may have altered the topography of the coastcannot be said, but its then descriptions are much like thoseof modern travelers. Many of the Mardians fled back intothe mountain recesses of the interior. But even here theywere not safe.Alexander followed them up in the most systematicmanner, sending detachments right and left, andallowing them no manner of rest. Parmenio, at the fartherend of the Mardian land, gave the tribes no chance of exit.They were caught between two armies of good mountainfighters, and were thoroughly subdued. It is not stated