Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/188

 15G HISTORY OF GREECE. Arbela might well inspire confidence ; for it is said to have con- sisted of 1,000,000 of infantry i — 40,000 cavalry — 200 scythed chariots — and fifteen elephants ; of which animals we now read for the first time in a field of battle. But besides the numbers, Darius had provided for his troops more effective arms ; instead of mere javelins, strong swords and short thrusting pikes, such as the Macedonian cavalry wielded so admirably in close com- bat — together with shields for the infantry and breastplates for the horsemen.^ He counted much also on the terrific charge of the chariots, each of which had a pole projecting before the horses and terminating in a sharp point, together Avith three sword-blades stretching from the yoke on each side, and scythes also laterally from the naves of the wheels.^ Informed of the approach of Alexander, about the time when the Macedonian army first reached the Tigris, Darius moved from Arbela, where his baggage and treasure were left — cross- ed by bridges the river Lykus or Great Zab, an operation which occupied five days — and marched to take post on the prepared ground near Gaugamela. His battle array was formed — of the Baktrians on the extreme left, under command of Bessus the satrap of Baktria; next, the Dahaj and Arachoti, under command of Barsaentes, satrap of Arachosia; then the native Persians, horse and foot alternating, — the Susians, under Ox- athres, — and the Kadusians. On the exti'eme right were the contingents of Syria both east and west of the Euphrates, under Mazaeus ; then the Medes, under Atropates ; next, the Parthians, Sakae, Tapyrians, and Hyrkanians, all cavalry, under Plirata- 1 This is the total given by Arrian as what he found set forth {IXtyero), probably the best information which Ptolemy and Aristobulus could pro- cure (Arrian, iii. 8, 8). Diodorus (xvii. 53) says 800,000 foot, 200,000 horse, and 200 scythed chariots. Justin (xi. 12) gives 400,000 foot and 100,000 horse. Plutarch (Alex. 31 ) talks generally of a million of men. Curtius states the army to liave been almost twice as large as that which had fought in Kilikia (iv. 9, 3) ; he gives the total as 200,000 foot, and 45,000 horse (iv. 12, 13). ' Diodor. xvii. 53 ; Curtius, iv. 9, 2. ^ Curtius, iv. 9, 3 ; Diodor. xvii. 53. Notwithstanding the instructive note of Miitzel upon this passage of Curtius. the mode i.i which thesa chariots were armed is not clear on all points.