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

60 VICTORY AT THYMBRA.end o£ the line of chariots he posted a chosen body of onethousand foot and one thousand horse. The camel-corps —archers mounted on camels—was with the latter body on theleft.Cyrus' idea in forming the lineso deep was to oblige Croesusto make a very extensive inward wheel ifinclose his flanks.he expected toSuch a wheel must of necessity open gapsin the Lydian line, of which Cyrus hoped to be able to takeadvantage. The wagon-towers made a sort of fortified campto which he could retire if defeated.ofCroesus.When theCyrus awaited the onsetLydian monarch came within proper distance,his centre halted, and his wings began the anticipated turningwheel.As can be well understood, so. vast a body could notmake this manoeuvre without losing touch in many places.When the wheel was about completed, the chariots on theflanks ofCyrus' army charged upon the somewhat disorderedwings of Croesus in front, while the reserves dashed in ontheir flanks. In a brief time these wings were entirelybroken. Meanwhile gaps had also been made between thecentre and the wings of Croesus' army, seeing which Cyrusquickly gathered his best horse and attacked the flanks andrear of Croesus' centre.This, too, was soon beaten, though theEgyptians fought so stanchly that Cyrus was compelled tomake terms with them by which they entered his service.Aftersubjugatethe battle of Thymbra, Cyrus left his lieutenants tothe Greek cities on the coast of the .^gean, whilehe himself undertook the larger task of reducing Parthia, Sogdiana,Bactria, Arachosia, and the neighboring principalities.In this expedition he overrandid subsequently Alexander the Great.the greatest trouble.He then turned upon Babylon, and inalmost as large a territory asThe Sacse gave hima two years' siege