Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/204

 J72 HISTORY OF GREECE. his soldiers, however, he sustained loss without damaging his enemy, and was obliged to return to his camp. He was inform- ed that there was no other track by which this difficult pass could be turned ; but there was a long circuitous nr.arch of many days whereby it might be evaded, and another entrance found into the plain of Persepolis. To recede from any enterprise as , impracticable, was a humiliation which Alexander had never yet endured. On farther inquiry, a Lykian captive, v/ho had been for many years tending sheep as a slave on the mountains, ac- quainted him with the existence of a track known only to him- self, whereby he might come on the flank of Ariobarzanes. Leaving Kraterus in command of the camp, with orders to at- tack the pass in front, when he should hear the trumpet give signal — Alexander marched forth at night at the head of a light detachment, under the guidance of the Lykian. He had to surmount incredible hardship and difficulty — the more so as it was mid-winter, and the mountain was covered with snow ; yet such were the effi^rts of his soldiers and the rapidity of his move- ments, that he surprised all the Persian outposts, and came upon Ariobarzanes altogether unprepared. Attacked as they were at the same time by Kraterus also, the troops of the satrap were forced to abandon the Gates, and were for the most part cut to pieces. Many perished in their flight among the rocks and pre- cipices ; the satrap himself being one of a few that escaped.^ Though the citadel of Persepolis is described as one of the strongest of fortresses,^ yet after this unexpected conquest of a pass hitherto deemed inexpugnable, few had courage to think of holding it against Alexander. Nevertheless Ariobarzanes, hast- ening thither from the conquered pass, still strove to organize a defence, and at least to carry off the regal treasure, which some in the town were already preparing to pillage. But Tiridates, commander of the garrison, fearing the wrath of the conqueror, resisted this, and despatched a message entreating Alexander to hasten his march. Accordingly Alexander, at the head of his cavalry, set forth with the utmost speed, and arrived in time to detain and appropriate the whole. Ariobarzanes, in a vain at ' Arrian, iii. IS, 1-14- Cuitius, v. 4. 10-20; Diodor, xvii. 68. ' Diodor. xvii. 71.