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

PROMOTION OF PERSIANS. 635failed of success. In fact, when he offered to pay the debtsof his sokliers, — and it was a frank piece of good will andentirely above-board, — it was at first suspected that he wastrying to ascertain who had been extravagant, in order topunish such habits. Their ancient confidence in their kinghad weakened, as perhaps Alexander himself had changed.In this instance the suspicion had bred no evil ; for the kingat once convinced his old soldiers that he meant them naujihtbut kindness, and had money-tables erected, where, withoutregistering their names, each one could have the means ofdischarging his debts by a simple statement of their amount.In view of the enormous sum of these debts, this was a certainproof of sincerity.But other things combined to complicate the situation.The mixing of Asiatic squadrons with the Comj^anion cavalry,which was the easiest method of keeping up the old cadres,as well as of beginning the merger of races which Alexandercontemplated, and the placing of distinguished Persians in theranks of the Companion cavalry and foot-guard, added fuel tothe flame of discontent. There were squadrons of Bactrian,Sogdianian, Arachotian, Zarangian, Arian and Parthian cavalry,as well as the Persian Evacae, a choice cavalry corps,bodily incorporated with the Companion cavalry, and a fifthdivision of horse of mixed nationalities was now added to thebody. The fact that the new-comers were especially fine menby no means drew the sting. Into the ageraa of foot wereadmitted : Artiboles and Hydarnes, sons of Mazaeus ; Cophen,son of Artabazus ; Sisines and Phrasdamenes, sons of Phrataphernes; Histanes, Roxana's brother ; Autobares and Mithrobaeus; and last and most grievous, to Hystaspes of Bactriawas given the command of the agema. A further grievancelay in the honors heaped upon Peucestas, who, on being madeviceroy of Persis, adopted aU the Oriental magnificence, and