Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/125

 CAPTURE OF MILETUS. 93 fial reasons, Alexander and Parmenio also differed about the re- ligious promise of the case. On the sea-shore, near the stern of the Macedonian ships, Parmenio had seen an eagle, which filled him with confidence that the ships would prove victorious. But Alexander contended that this interpretation was inconcct. Though the eagle doubtless promised to him victory, yet it had been seen on land — and therefore his victories would be on land : hence the result signified was, that he would overcome the Persian fleet, by means of land-operations.^ This part of the debate, between tAvo practical military men of ability, is not the least interesting of the whole ; illustrating as it does, not only the religious susceptibilities of the age, but also the pliancy of the interpretative process, lending itself equally well to inferences totally opposite. The difference between a sagacious and a dull- witted prophet, accommodating ambiguous omens to useful or mischievous conclusions, was one of very material importance in the ancient world. Alexander now prepared vigorously to assault Miletus, repu- diating Avith disdain an offer brought to him by a Milesian citizen named Glaukippus — that the city should be neutral and open to him as well as to the Persians. His fleet under Nikanor occu- pied the harbor, blocked up its narrow mouth against the Per- Bians, and made threatening demonstrations from the Avater's edge ; while he himself brought up his battering-engines against the walls, shook or overthrew them in several places, and then stormed the city. The Milesians, Avith the Grecian mercenary garrison, made a brave defence, but were overpowered by the impetuosity of the assault. A large number of them were slain, and there Avas no way of escape except by jumping into little boats, or swimming off upon the hollow of the shield. Even of these fugitives, most part were killed by the seamen of the Macedonian triremes ; but a division of 300 Grecian mercenaries got on to an isolated rock near the mouth of the harbor, and there prepared to sell their lives dearly. Alexander, as soon as his soldiers were thoroughly mas- ters of the city, Avent himself on shipboard to attack the merce- naries on the rock, taking with him ladders in order to effect a landing upon it. But when he saw that they were resolved on a ' Arrian, i. 18, 9-15 ; i. 20, 2.