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

438 A FORCED MARCH.than now, and no doubt thecountry afforded vastly more toa marching army. But heat and cold must still be borne,though rations may be plenty, and the sun burned asfiercelythen as now.When the column had made a considerable part of themarch towards Bactriana, Alexander learned that Satibarzanes,through whose satrapy he had just passed, had massacredthe guard under Anaxippus which had been left withhim, as well as that officer, had declared for Bessus, whom heproposed to join, and had established himself in Artacoana(ator near modern Herat), where many confederates werejoining him. Here was a grave danger. Alexander couldnot leave such treachery behind him, for Barsaentes fromDrangiana was very apt to cast in his lot with Satibarzanes.Much of his cavalry from Ecbatana, viz. : the Greek mercenaries,the reenlisted Thessalians, and the men ofAndromachus,had now joined him under Philip, son of Menelaus.The king at once stopped midway in hismarch towards Bactria(he was pursuing a route thither much easierthan theone he later trod), left Craterus in command of the bulk ofthe army, and taking theCompanion cavalry, horse lancers,archers, Agrianians, and the taxes of Amyntas and Coenus,he headed for the scene of hostilities. By one of his splendidforced marches ofseventy-five miles (six hundred stades)in two days, he fell upon Artacoana like a hurricane. Satibarzanesmanaged to escape with a few Arian horsemen, butAlexander slew three thousand of his officers and men, andsold many others into slavery. He then proclaimed the PersianArsames viceroy, and called in the command of Craterus.From Artacoana northward there were several excellentgaps by which the army could cross the Caucasus into Bactriana.At this point the mountains do not reach the ruggedaltitude of the Parapamisus. But Alexander was impera-