Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/114

 82 HISTORY OF GREECE. was in like manner protected by three distinct divisions of car- airy or lighter troops — first, by the Thracians, under Agathon — next, by the cavalry of the allies, under Philippus, son of JMene- laus — lastly, by the Thessalian cavalry, under Kallas, whose di- vision formed the extreme left. Alexander himself took the command of the right, giving that of the left to Parmenio ; by right and left are meant the two halves of the army, each of them including three Taxeis or divisions of the phalanx with the cav- alry on its flank — for there was no recognized centre under a distinct command. On the other side of the Gi'anikus, the Per- sian cavalry lined the bank. The Medes and Baktrians were on their right, under Rheomithres — the Paphlagonians and Hyr- kanians in the centre, under Arsites and Spithridates — on the left were Memnon and Arsamenes, with their divisions.' The Persian infantry, both Asiatic and Grecian, were kept back in reserve ; the cavalry alone being relied upon to dispute the pas- sage of the river. In this array, both parties remained for some time, watching each other in anxious silence.^ There being no firing or smoke, as with modern armies, all the details on each side were clearly visible to the other ; so that the Persians easily recognized Alex- ander himself on the Macedonian right from the splendor of his armor and military costume, as well as from the respectful de- meanor of those around him. Their principal leaders accordingly thronged to their own left, which they reinforced with the main strength of their cavalry, in order to oppose him personally. Presently he addressed a few words of encouragement to the troops, and gave the order for advance. He directed the first attack to be made by the squadron of Companion-cavalry whose turn it was on that day to take the lead — (the squadron of Apollonia, of which Sokrates was captain — commanded on this day by Ptolemaeus son of Philippus) supported by the light horse or Lancers, the Peeonian darters (infantry,) and one division of ' Diodor. xvii. 19. roil TTorafiov iipearurec, vnb rov -b neHov OKvdv ijiru^iav Tjyov Koi criy^ ?i» iroAX^ 16' kKari'puv.
 * Arrian, i. 14, 8. Xpovov fiH J^ ufi^oTcpa tu oTpaTEVfiara, ^t' i.xpoS