CHAPTER XII.

ALEXANDER’S TACTICS.

In this way had Alexander marshalled his army in front; but he also

posted a second array, so that his phalanx might be a double one.[410]

Directions had been given to the commanders of these men posted in

reserve, to wheel round and receive the attack of the foreigners, if

they should see their own comrades surrounded by the Persian army. Next

to the royal squadron on the right wing, half of the Agrianians, under

the command of Attalus, in conjunction with the Macedonian archers

under Briso’s command, were posted angular-wise (_i.e._ in such a way

that the wings were thrown forward at an angle with the centre, so as

to take the enemy in flank) in case they should be seized anyhow by

the necessity of folding back the phalanx or of closing it up (_i.e._

of deepening it by countermarching from front to rear). Next to the

archers were the men called the veteran mercenaries, whose commander

was Cleander. In front of the Agrianians and archers were posted the

light cavalry used for skirmishing, and the Paeonians, under the

command of Aretes and Aristo. In front of all had been posted the

Grecian mercenary cavalry under the direction of Menidas; and in

front of the royal squadron of cavalry and the other Companions had

been posted half of the Agrianians and archers, and the javelin-men

of Balacrus who had been ranged opposite the scythe-bearing chariots.

Instructions had been given to Menidas and the troops under him to

wheel round and attack the enemy in flank, if they should ride round

their wing. Thus had Alexander arranged matters on the right wing. On

the left the Thracians under the command of Sitalces had been posted

angular-wise, and near them the cavalry of the Grecian allies, under

the direction of Coeranus. Next stood the Odrysian cavalry, under the

command of Agatho, son of Tyrimmas. In this part, in front of all, were

posted the auxiliary cavalry of the Grecian mercenaries, under the

direction of Andromachus, son of Hiero. Near the baggage the infantry

from Thrace were posted as a guard. The whole of Alexander’s army

numbered 7,000 cavalry and about 40,000 infantry.