Art of War. Sun TzuЧитать онлайн книгу.
and declared him the incarnation of their major deities.
Since it always had been Alexander’s declared intent to conquer the “known world” – which ended somewhere east of India during his age—, he then set his sights on the Indian subcontinent. Initially he was able to sway one of the Indian rulers to put himself under Alexander’s rule and decimate those tribes that refused to join him, but soon after his march into India slowed. The Greek was still able to beat the Punjabi ruler Porus in the famous Battle of Hydaspes, but due to the mutiny of his army, who refused to engage the large armies of the Nanda Empire after having fought hard in the last battle, he had to give up on his plan and returned to Persia. Alexander was still planning to continue his campaigns when he returned, but was never able to implement any of those plans as he died in Babylon, either because of an illness or possibly after being poisoned. After a short period of stability, his empire erupted in a succession war that lasted forty years and ended Alexander’s dream of the largest empire of the known world.
Alexander the Great Crossing the Granicus, 17th century.
Oil on canvas.
Private collection.
Battle of the Granicus River
(May, 334 BCE)
Let your rapidity be that of the wind, your compactness that of the forest.
In the year 334 BCE, Alexander arrived on the banks of the Granicus [now known as the Biga Çay], a narrow, deep, and rapid stream in northern Asia. On the opposite side of the river was stationed the Persian army, which Darius, had sent thither to intercept his progress. The two armies remained in sight of each other a long time, as if dreading the event. At length, Alexander, impatient at the delay, took the command of the right wing of his army, and placing the left under the command of Parmenio, plunged into the stream. The trumpets sounded, and his troops leaped into the river after him. Surrounded by the flower of his army, Alexander madly buffeted the rushing current, and made rapid progress toward the enemy.
At length the centre of the Persian cavalry began to give ground, and immediately the two wings were broken and put to flight. Alexander did not pursue them far, but turned about to attack the Persian foot, which was engaged with his infantry. The Persians who had received the first attack of the Macedonians with firminess, upon the arrival of Alexander and his cavalry, instantly turned and fled. The Grecian infantry in Darius’s service alone remained. Alexander instantly rushed with his troops into the mass of the Greeks who made a vigorous resistance. Their desperate condition caused them to fight with an energy almost superhuman; but crushed by the superior numbers of their enemies, they were all cut to pieces except 2,000, who were taken prisoners.
Albrecht Altdorfer, The Battle of Alexander at Issus, 1529.
Oil on panel, 158.4 cm × 120.3 cm.
Alte Pinakothek, Munich.
Battle of Issus
(5 November, 333 BCE)
If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
In 333 BCE, Darius, King of Persia, at the head of an immense army, marched toward the Euphrates, full of confidence that he could crush the invader, Alexander, as he would an obnoxious insect. With his immense army, Darius continued his march across the plains of Assyria. In the meantime, Alexander had heard that Darius was encamped at Sochos, in Assyria, two days’ journey from Cilicia. He immediately held a council of war and all his generals and officers intreated him to lead them against the enemy. Alexander arrived at Issus, left his sick in that city, and marching his whole army through the pass, encamped near Myriandros, a Syrian city. Darius, having sent his treasure to Damascus, a city of Syria, marched in a westerly direction a short distance into Cilicia, then turned toward Issus. He arrived not knowing that Alexander was behind him, for he had been assured that this prince had fled before him. On learning that Alexander had passed into Syria, he barbarously put to death all the sick that were in the city, except a few soldiers, whom he dismissed, after making them view every part of his camp, in order that they might inform Alexander of the prodigious multitude of his forces. The latter could scarcely believe the report of the magnitude of the king’s army. He immediately made preparations to march to meet the Persians. At daybreak, the following morning, the army arrived at the place where Alexander had determined to engage the enemy.
Having heard that Alexander was marching toward him in battle array, Darius advanced with his army to meet him. Darius made his cavalry cross the river again, and dispatched the greater part of them toward the sea, against Parmenio, because they could fight on that spot with greater advantage. Alexander, observing the enemy’s movements, began immediately to transform his battle organisation, behind his battalions in order to prevent their being seen by the enemy.
Alexander performed the duty both of a commander and a private soldier, wishing nothing so ardently as the glory of killing with his own hand, Darius, who, was seated on a high chariot. Many of the Persian nobility were killed. The horses that drew Darius’s chariot, being quite covered with wounds, began to prance about, and shook the yoke so violently that they were on the point of overturning the king, who, afraid of falling alive into the hands of the enemy, leaped down, and mounted another chariot. The rest of the Persians observing this, fled as fast as possible, and throwing down their arms made the best of their way. Alexander had received a slight wound in the thigh; but happily it was not attended with ill consequences.
The Macedonians also signalised themselves with the utmost bravery, in order to preserve the advantage which Alexander had just before gained, and support the honour of their phalanx, which had always been considered invincible. The Macedonians lost 121 of their best officers, among whom was Ptolemy, the son of Seleucus, who had all behaved with the utmost gallantry.
The routing of the Persian cavalry completed the defeat of the army. The Persians lost in this battle 100,000 men, while the historian relates that Alexander lost only 150 horses and 300 infantry. But the Macedonian loss must have been much greater.
Battle of Arbela (Battle of Gaugamela)
(October, 331 BCE)
Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy’s purpose. By persistently hanging on the enemy’s flank, we shall succeed in the long run in killing the commander-in-chief.
Alexander spent the night before the Battle of Arbela in consultation with the diviner Aristander, and in sacrificing to the god Fear. Thus prayed Alexander as his gaze rested upon the moving plain gleaming with a million torchlights where Darius, prepared for a night attack, was reviewing his forces. And well might Alexander so pray. After the sacrifice to the god Fear, as Plutarch gravely assures us, Alexander seemed jubilant in spirit, and returning to his tent, made ready to take his rest. Parmenio, his oldest and ablest general, sought him there and suggested that a night attack be made, urging that their army would grow faint at heart could they see as in broad daylight the countless hosts arrayed against them. In conclusion Parmenio respectfully said, “And if I were Alexander I would attack the Persians tonight.” To this Alexander ironically replied “And so would I if I were Parmenio.” On further remonstrance being made, Alexander curtly replied, “I will not steal a victory.” At this Parmenio withdrew and Alexander lay down to rest.
A profound and most refreshing sleep came to Alexander. Morning dawned and it seemed proper to rouse the men to breakfast and to preparation for battle, but Alexander still slept. But at last, time not giving them leave to wait any longer, Parmenio went to his bedside and called him twice or thrice by his name, till he waked him, and then asked how it was possible, when he was to fight the most important battle of all, he could sleep so soundly as if he were