DEFEAT OF DARIUS

B.C. 333

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Darius's opinion of Alexander.

Thus far Alexander had had only the lieutenants and generals of the Persian monarch to contend with. Darius had at first looked upon the invasion of his vast dominions by such a mere boy, as he called him, and by so small an army, with contempt¹. He sent word to his generals in Asia Minor to seize the young fool, and send him to Persia bound hand and foot. By the time, however, Alexander had possessed himself of all Asia Minor, Darius began to find that, though young, he was no fool, and that it was not likely to be very easy to seize him.

He prepares to meet him. Greek mercenaries.

Accordingly, Darius collected an immense army himself, and advanced to meet the Macedonians in person. Nothing could exceed the pomp and magnificence of his preparations. There were immense numbers of troops, and they were of all nations. There were even a great many Greeks among his forces, many of them enlisted from the Greeks of Asia Minor. There were some from Greece itself-mercenaries³, as they were called; that is, soldiers who fought for pay, and who were willing to enter into any service which would pay them best.

1. contempt: disrespect 2. immense: huge 3. mercenaries: armed force, soldiers

Counsel of Charidemus.