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

BESS US' PLANS. 455could execute the wonderful marches and fight the splendidbattles of which history gives us the details. IIow any onecan look upon the man who could hold in his single hand sucha huge aggregation of conflicting elements and make themuseful, as a mere military adventurer, passes comprehension.Those who knew him in his own era and called him a demigodcame far more near the truth.Alexander had now subdued all the tribes south of theParapamisus, thus fully protecting his rear, and could safelycross the range to attack Bessus, whose main protection layin this all but impassable mountain chain. He had receivedthe bulk of the troops lately under Parmenio, which werelargely replaced by reinforcements from the rear, and in additionsome phalangites from Greece ; and he had ordered thirtythousand selected Persian youths to be trained to fight Macedonianfashion, some of whom it is said he had already withhim.Bessus was the head-centre of all opposition. He hadal)out him many of the fugitive chiefs from Darius' army,some relics of the Arbela infantry, about seven thousand cavalryfrom Baetria and Sogdiana, and several thousand Daans ;and had added to the difficulties which Alexander must encounterin the way of mountains and snow and lack of provisionsall that he could by ravaging the land for several days'march on the north slope of the mountains. As alreadystated, he had sent Satibarzanes with two thousand cavalry toAria, but with poor resvxlts. He had dispatched Barzanes toParthia to foster insurrection in that province, but he was notyet heard from. He now collected his own forces, and for awhile remained in Zariaspa. He hoped that Alexander mightinvade India rather than Baetria, or at all events fight shy ofthe terrible passage of the Caucasus. This would give himan opportunity of rising and operating in Alexander's rear.