Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/146

 114 HISTORY OF GREECL. double cross-wall with gates for passage, marking the origlna boundai'ies of Kilikia and Syria, The Gates, about six days' march beyond Tarsus,* were found guarded, but the g^iard tied with little resistance. At the same time Alexander himself, con- ducting the Macedonian troops in a south-westerly direction from Tarsus, employed some time in mastering and regulating the towns of Anchialus and Soli, as well as the Kilikian mountain- •eers. Then, returning to Tarsus, and recommencing his forward march, he advanced with the infantry and with his chosen squad- ron of cavalry, first to Magarsus near the mouth of the river Py- ramus, next to Mallus ; the general body of cavalr}^, under Phi- 16tus, being sent by a more direct route across the Aleian plain. Mallus, sacred to the prophet Amphilocus as a patron-hero, was said to be a colony from Argos ; on both these grounds Alexan- der was disposed to treat it with peculiar respect. He offered solemn sacrifice to Amphilocus, exempted Mallus from tribute, and appeased some troublesome discord among the citizens.-* It was at Mallus that he received his first distinct communica- tion respecting Darius and the main Persian army ; which wsis said to be encamped at Sochi in Syria, on the eastern side of Mount Amanus, about two days' march from the mountain pass now called Beylan. That pass, traversing the Amanian range, forms the continuance of the main road from Asia Minor into Syria, after having passed first over Taurus, and next through the difficult point of ground above specified (called the Gates of Kilikia and Syria), between Mount Amanus and the sea. As- sembling his principal officers, Alexander communicated to them the position of Darius, now encamped in a spacious plain with prodigious superiority of numbers, especially of cavalry. Though the locality was thus rather favorable to the enemy, yet the Mace- donians, full of hopes and courage, called upon Alexander to lead tliem fortliwith against him. Accordingly Alexander, well pleased Avith their alacrity, began his forward march on the following morning. He passed through Issus, where he left some sick and ' Cyrus the j'ounger was five days in marching from Tarsus to Issns, and one day more from Issus to the gates of Kilikia and Syria. — Xcnoph. Anab J. 4-, 1 ; Vol. IX. Chap. Lxix. p. 27 of this history.
 * Arrian, ii. 5, 11