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

SIMILARITY TO 1812 CAMPAIGN. 55route of his advance. The Scythians, having as they supposedinduced the Greeks to destroy the bridge, for thesecustodians did in fact take up that part nearest the northbank as a matter of safety to themselves, were confident thatthey could intercept the Persians in their i-etreat. But happilyDarius was able to secure Iris communications with thebridge, and was fortunate indeed to get his army over to thesouth bank in safety. He had lost eighty thousand men inseventy days. This campaign suggests in many features theRussian campaign of Napoleon, though the latter by no meansfailed for lack of careful preparation. But the method of theScythians was in its intelligence somewhat similar to that ofthe Russians, while Darius had failed from lack of study ofhis problem, and because he believed that numbers alone sufficedin war.He had made no preparations for victual, norprovided a means of forestalling such opposition as the Scythiansexhibited. But though Darius failed in this campaign,he subdued Thrace, and extended his empire to the confinesof the Indus. His failure leaves him still with a large reputationas a soldier, added to a still greater one as a king.tecythiaii Warriors.