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

SIZE OF THE ARMY. 621of the Oritians, named Rhambasia, situated in a large andfertile oasis, he left Hephsestion to found a final Alexandriathere. Then, taking half the hypaspists, the Agrianians, theagema of cavalry and the horse-bowmen, he marched againstsome tribes of Oritians and Gedrosians who had assembledin the mountains between these two territories, to hold thepasses against his advance. The barbarians, however, scarcelyawaited his approach. Those who did not flee, surrendered.Over this territory Alexander left Apollophanes as viceroy,and gave him special instructions to accumulate and send forwardprovision for the army on its dangerous transit. Forthis there was ample time. Leonnatus, in command of allthe Agrianians, some archers, and the Greek mercenaries,foot and horse, remained behind in Ora to await the arrivalof Nearchus, not only to aid the latter, but to get the governmentof the land into running order.Having arranged thesematters to hissatisfaction, and Hephaestion having rejoined,Alexander set out to cross the desert of Gedrosia. Not longafter his departure, the Oritians rose in rebellion, and, it issaid, killed Apollophanes. But Leonnatus was equal to theoccasion. He met and defeated the rebels in a great battlenear the coast, between the Arabius and Tomerus rivers, andslew all their leaders.This pacified the new province.The king's force was not large. It may be estimatedthus :—Alexander had in IndiaGarrisons left by the way, say 30,000Nearchus, say 100 vessels @ 150 men each . . . 15,000120,000 menCraterus took with him some ....... 40,000 85,000Leaving to march with Alexander across the desert . . . 35,000 menThis march would not have involved such grievous periland loss if the provisions which Alexander had ordered collectedby Sibyrtius, satrap of part of Carmania, and by Apol-