CHAPTER XX.

MARCH THROUGH THE CASPIAN GATES.

Then taking the Companion cavalry, the light cavalry used for

skirmishing, the Greek mercenary cavalry, under the command of

Erigyius, the Macedonian phalanx, except the men who had been placed

in charge of the money, the archers, and the Agrianians, he marched

against Darius. In the forced march which he made, many of his soldiers

were left behind, worn out with fatigue, and many of the horses

died. He nevertheless pressed on, and on the eleventh day arrived at

Rhagae.[460] This place is distant from the Caspian Gates one day’s

journey to one marching as Alexander did. But Darius had already passed

through this defile before Alexander came up, though many of those who

were his companions in flight deserted him on the way and retired to

their own abodes. Many also surrendered to Alexander. The latter now

gave up the hope of capturing Darius by close pursuit, and remained

there five days to give his troops repose. He appointed Oxodates a

Persian, who had the ill fortune to be arrested by Darius and shut up

at Susa, to the office of viceroy of Media; for this treatment was

an inducement to Alexander to rely on his fidelity. He then marched

towards Parthia; and on the first day encamped near the Caspian Gates,

which he passed through on the second day as far as the country was

inhabited.[461] Hearing that the country further on was desert, he

resolved to procure a stock of provisions from the place where he was

encamped, and accordingly sent Coenus out on a foraging expedition with

the cavalry and a small body of infantry.