Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/138

 106 HISTORY OF GREECE. lated the capitulation at once. He not only extorted contributions, but introduced a garrison under LykomSdes, and established a returned exile named Diogenes as despot.' Such breach of faith was ill calculated to assist the farther extension of Persian influ- ence in Greece. Had the Persian fleet been equally active a year earlier, Alex- ander's army could never have landed in Asia. Nevertheless, the acquisitions of Chios and Lesbos, late as they were in coming, were highly important as promising future progress. Several of the Cyclades islands sent to tender their adhesion to the Per- sian cause ; the fleet was expected in Euba?a, and the Spartans began to count upon aid for an anti-Macedonian movement.^ But all these hopes were destroyed by the unexpected decease of Memnon. It was not merely the superior ability of Memnon, but also his established reputation both with Greeks and Persians, which ren- dered his death a fatal blow to the interests of Darius. The Per- sians had with them other Greek officers — brave and able — probably some not unfit to execute the full Memnonian schemes. But none of them had gone tlu-ough the same experience in the art of exercising command among Orientals — none of them had acquired the confidence of Darius to the same extent, so as to be invested with the real guidance of operations, and upheld against court-calumnies. Though Alexander had now become master of Asia Minor, yet the Persians had ample means, if effectively used, of defending all that yet remained, and even of seriously disturb- ing him at home. But with Memnon vanished the last chance of employing these means with wisdom or energy. The full value of his loss was better appreciated by the intelligent enemy whom he opposed, than by the feeble master whom he served. The death of Memnon lessening the efficiency of the Persians at sea, allowed full leisure to reorganize the Macedonian fleet,^ and to employ the undivided land-force for farther inland cooquest.* ' Arrian, ii. 1, 4-9. * Diodor. xvii. 29. ' Arrian, ii. 2, 6 ; Curtius, iii. 3, 19: iii. 4, 8. "Nondum enim Memno- nem vita excessisse cognoverat (Alexander) — satis gnarus, cuncta in expe- dite fore, si nihil ab eo moveretur."
 * Diodor. xvi. 31.