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

628 PUNISHMENT OF SATRAPS.In Persis, also, Alexander found many punishments toinflict and abuses to correct. Phrasaortes, satrap of Persis,had died, and Orxines had assumed his office, but havingbeen guilty of pillaging and cruelty, was put to death, andPeucestas made viceroy in his stead. Atropates, viceroy ofMedia, came, bringing Baryaxes, who had attempted to makehimself king ; and him, with his adherents, Alexander treatedin like manner. Stasanor, viqeroy of the Arians and Zarangians,and Phrataphernes, viceroy of the Parthians and Hyrcanians,came, bringing beasts of burden and camels at a timemost opportune. These were distributed to the troops asrequired. Stasanor was sent back to Aria.At PassargadsB Alexander found the tomb of Cyrus brokeninto, rifled of its treasures, and the corpse desecrated. Butnothing could be elicited about the occurrence, even by thetorture of the guard. The body was replaced in its restingplace in greater state and security than before.It was time, indeed, that Alexander should return.Everythingwas beginning to assume the aspect it wore so soonafter his death. Sad prophecy of what would happen whenthere was no more Alexander ! Nothing short of the mostscrupulous and exact severity in meting out justice couldrestore the obedient kingdom he had left. It was on thepoint of falling to pieces through the greed, ambition, dishonesty,cruelty and rapacity of the satraps he had created.But the people soon learnedthat Alexander was no respecterof persons. They made haste to lay complaints before theking, whenever these were of a nature to attract attention.In no instance was just cause of complaint thrust aside.In Carmania the satrap Aspastes, who, five years before,had submitted to Alexander and been continued in control ofhis territory, was not only removed, but executed, for malfeasance,and was replaced by Tlepolemus.The Arachotian