Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/176

 144 HISTORY on unKECt Gaza was noAv attacked at all points by battering-rams, by mines, and bv projectile engines with various missiles. Pre- sently the walls were breached in several places, though the de- fenders were unremitting in their efforts to repair the damaged parts. Alexander attempted three distinct general assaults ; but in all three he was repulsed by the braver}' of the Gazasans. At length, after still farther breaching the wall, he renewed for the fourth time his attempt to storm. The entire Macedonian phalanx being brought up to attack at different points, the great- est emulation reigned among the officers. The -3^akid Neopto- lemus was first to mount the wall ; but the other divisions mani- fested hardly less ardor, and the to^vn was at length taken. Its gallant defenders resisted, with unabated spirit, to the last ; and all fell in their posts, the incensed soldiery being no way dis- posed to give quarter. One prisoner alone was reserved for special treatment — the prince or governor himself, the eunuch Batis ; who, having mani- fested the greatest energy and valor, was taken severely wounded, yet still alive. In this condition he was brought by Leonatus and Philotas into the presence of Alexander, who cast upon him looks of vengeance and fury. The Macedonian prince had un- dertaken the siege mainly in order to prove to the world that he could overcome difficulties insuperable to others. But he had incurred so much loss, spent so much time and labor, and under- gone so many repulses before he succeeded, — that the palm of honor belonged rather to the minority vanquished than to the multitude of victors. To such disappointment, which would Btirig Alexander in the tenderest point, is to be added the fact, that he had himself incurred great personal risk and received a severe wound. Here was ample gi'ound for violent anger ; Avhich was moreover still farther exasperated by the appearance of Batis — an eunuch — a black man — tall and robust, but at the same time fat and lumpish — and doubtless at the moment cover- ed with blood and dirt. Such visible circumstances, repulsive to eyes familiar with Grecian gymnastics, contributed to kindle the wrath of Alexander to its highest pitch. After the siege of Tyre, his indignation had been satiated by the hanging of the 2000 surviving combatants ; here, to discharge the pressure of a Itill stronger feeling, there remained only the single captir©,