CHAPTER XV.

DEFEAT OF THE PERSIANS AND PURSUIT OF DARIUS.

At this juncture, while the Macedonians were doubtful as to the result

of the battle, Parmenio sent a messenger to Alexander in haste, to

tell him that their side was in a critical position and that he

must send him aid.[420] When this news was brought to Alexander, he

immediately turned back again from the pursuit, and wheeling round with

the Companion cavalry, led them with great speed against the right

wing of the foreigners. In the first place he assaulted the fleeing

cavalry of the enemy, the Parthians, some of the Indians, and the most

numerous and the bravest division of the Persians. Then ensued the

most obstinately contested cavalry fight in the whole engagement. For

being drawn up by squadrons as it were, the foreigners wheeled round

and falling on Alexander’s men face to face, they no longer relied on

the hurling of javelins or the dexterous deploying of horses, as is the

common practice in cavalry battles, but every one on his own account

strove eagerly to break through what stood in his way, as if this

were their only means of safety. They struck and were struck without

quarter, as if they were no longer struggling to secure the victory for

another, but were contending for their own personal safety. Here about

sixty of Alexander’s Companions fell; and Hephaestion himself, as well

as Coenus and Menidas, was wounded. But even these troops were overcome

by Alexander; and as many of them as could force their way through

his ranks fled with all their might. And now Alexander had nearly

come into conflict with the enemy’s right wing, but in the meantime

the Thessalian cavalry in a splendid struggle, had not fallen short

of Alexander’s success in the engagement. For the foreigners on the

right wing were already beginning to fly when he came on the scene of

conflict; so that he wheeled round again and started off in pursuit of

Darius once more, keeping up the chase as long as there was daylight.

Parmenio’s brigade also followed in pursuit of those who were opposed

to them. But Alexander crossed the river Lycus[421] and pitched his

camp there, to give his men and horses a little rest; while Parmenio

seized the Persian camp with their baggage, elephants, and camels.

After giving his horsemen rest until midnight, Alexander again advanced

by a forced march towards Arbela, with the hope of seizing Darius

there, together with his money and the rest of his royal property. He

reached Arbela the next day, having pursued altogether about 600 stades

from the battle-field.[422] But as Darius went on fleeing without

taking any rest,[423] he did not find him at Arbela. However the money

and all the other property were captured, as was also the chariot of

Darius. His spear and bow were likewise taken, as had been the case

after the battle of Issus.[424] Of Alexander’s men about 100 were

killed, and more than 1,000 of his horses were lost either from wounds

or from fatigue in the pursuit, nearly half of them belonging to the

Companion cavalry. Of the foreigners there were said to have been about

300,000 slain, and far more were taken prisoners than were killed.[425]

The elephants and all the chariots which had not been destroyed in the

battle were also captured. Such was the result of this battle, which

was fought in the archonship of Aristophanes at Athens, in the month

Pyanepsion;[426] and thus Aristander’s prediction was accomplished,

that Alexander would both fight a battle and gain a victory in the same

month in which the moon was seen to be eclipsed.[427]