Polybius, Histories

Translation

Book 12 - Chapter 17

<head lang="la">V. De Callisthenis Imperitia In Narrandis Rebus Militaribus</head><w lemma="%2A%28%2Fina">Ἵνα</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="mh%5C">μὴ</w> <w lemma="do%2Fcwmen">δόξωμεν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="thlikou%2Ftwn">τηλικούτων</w> <w lemma="a%29ndrw%3Dn">ἀνδρῶν</w> <w lemma="kataciopistei%3Dsqai">καταξιοπιστεῖσθαι</w>, <w lemma="mnhsqhso%2Fmeqa">μνησθησόμεθα</w> <w lemma="mia%3Ds">μιᾶς</w> <w lemma="parata%2Fcews">παρατάξεως</w>, <w lemma="h%28%5Cn">ἣν</w> <w lemma="a%28%2Fma">ἅμα</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="oi%28%2Fan">οἵαν</w> <w lemma="e%29pifanesta%2Fthn">ἐπιφανεστάτην</w> <w lemma="ei%29%3Dnai">εἶναι</w> <w lemma="sumbe%2Fbhken">συμβέβηκεν</w>, <w lemma="a%28%2Fma">ἅμα</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="kairoi%3Ds">καιροῖς</w> <w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="makra%5Cn">μακρὰν</w> <w lemma="a%29phrth%3Dsqai">ἀπηρτῆσθαι</w>, <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="me%2Fgiston">μέγιστον</w>, <w lemma="parateteuxe%2Fnai">παρατετευχέναι</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Akallisqe%2Fnh">Καλλισθένη</w>.

<w lemma="le%2Fgw">λέγω</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="%2Akiliki%2Fa%7C">Κιλικίᾳ</w> <w lemma="genome%2Fnhs">γενομένης</w> <w lemma="%2A%29aleca%2Fndrw%7C">Ἀλεξάνδρῳ</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="%2Adarei%3Don">Δαρεῖον</w>, <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="h%28%3D%7C">ᾗ</w> <w lemma="fhsi%5C">φησὶ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29ale%2Fcandron">Ἀλέξανδρον</w> <w lemma="h%29%2Fdh">ἤδη</w> <w lemma="diapeporeu%3Dsqai">διαπεπορεῦσθαι</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="stena%5C">στενὰ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="legome%2Fnas">λεγομένας</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="%2Akiliki%2Fa%7C">Κιλικίᾳ</w> <w lemma="%2Apu%2Flas">Πύλας</w>, <w lemma="%2Adarei%3Don">Δαρεῖον</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="xrhsa%2Fmenon">χρησάμενον</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29amani%2Fdwn">Ἀμανίδων</w> <w lemma="legome%2Fnwn">λεγομένων</w> <w lemma="%2Apulw%3Dn">Πυλῶν</w> <w lemma="porei%2Fa%7C">πορείᾳ</w> <w lemma="kata%3Drai">κατᾶραι</w> <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="duna%2Fmews">δυνάμεως</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="%2Akiliki%2Fan:">Κιλικίαν·</w>

<w lemma="puqo%2Fmenon">πυθόμενον</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29gxwri%2Fwn">ἐγχωρίων</w> <w lemma="proa%2Fgein">προάγειν</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29ale%2Fcandron">Ἀλέξανδρον</w> <w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="%2Asuri%2Fan">Συρίαν</w>, <w lemma="a%29kolouqei%3Dn">ἀκολουθεῖν</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="suneggi%2Fsanta">συνεγγίσαντα</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="stenoi%3Ds">στενοῖς</w> <w lemma="stratopedeu%3Dsai">στρατοπεδεῦσαι</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Api%2Fnaron">Πίναρον</w> <w lemma="potamo%2Fn">ποταμόν</w>.

<w lemma="ei%29%3Dnai">εἶναι</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="to%2Fpou">τόπου</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="dia%2Fsthm%27">διάστημ᾽</w> <w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="plei%2Fw">πλείω</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="tetta%2Frwn">τεττάρων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="de%2Fka">δέκα</w> <w lemma="stadi%2Fwn">σταδίων</w> <w lemma="a%29po%5C">ἀπὸ</w> <w lemma="qala%2Ftths">θαλάττης</w> <w lemma="e%28%2Fws">ἕως</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="parw%2Freian:">παρώρειαν·</w>

<w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftou">τούτου</w> <w lemma="fe%2Fresqai">φέρεσθαι</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="proeirhme%2Fnon">προειρημένον</w> <w lemma="potamo%5Cn">ποταμὸν</w> <w lemma="e%29pika%2Frsion">ἐπικάρσιον</w>, <w lemma="a%29po%5C">ἀπὸ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="o%29rw%3Dn">ὀρῶν</w> <w lemma="eu%29qe%2Fws">εὐθέως</w> <w lemma="e%29krh%2Fgmata">ἐκρήγματα</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="pleurw%3Dn">πλευρῶν</w>, <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29pipe%2Fdwn">ἐπιπέδων</w> <w lemma="e%28%2Fws">ἕως</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="qa%2Flattan">θάλατταν</w> <w lemma="a%29poto%2Fmous">ἀποτόμους</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxonta">ἔχοντα</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="dusba%2Ftous">δυσβάτους</w> <w lemma="lo%2Ffous">λόφους</w>.

<w lemma="tau%3Dta">ταῦτα</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="u%28poqe%2Fmenos">ὑποθέμενος</w>, <w lemma="e%29pei%5C">ἐπεὶ</w> <w lemma="suneggi%2Fzoien">συνεγγίζοιεν</w> <w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29ale%2Fcandron">Ἀλέξανδρον</w> <w lemma="e%29c">ἐξ</w> <w lemma="u%28postrofh%3Ds">ὑποστροφῆς</w> <w lemma="e%29p%27">ἐπ᾽</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%5Cs">αὐτοὺς</w> <w lemma="a%29naxwrou%3Dntes">ἀναχωροῦντες</w>, <w lemma="kri%3Dnai%2F">κρῖναί</w> <w lemma="fhsi">φησι</w> <w lemma="%2Adarei%3Don">Δαρεῖον</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="h%28gemo%2Fnas">ἡγεμόνας</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="fa%2Flagga">φάλαγγα</w> <w lemma="ta%2Fcai">τάξαι</w> <w lemma="pa%3Dsan">πᾶσαν</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="au%29th%3D%7C">αὐτῇ</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="stratopedei%2Fa%7C">στρατοπεδείᾳ</w>, <w lemma="kaqa%2Fper">καθάπερ</w> <w lemma="e%29c">ἐξ</w> <w lemma="a%29rxh%3Ds">ἀρχῆς</w> <w lemma="ei%29%3Dxe">εἶχε</w>, <w lemma="xrh%2Fsasqai">χρήσασθαι</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="potamw%3D%7C">ποταμῷ</w> <w lemma="problh%2Fmati">προβλήματι</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="par%27">παρ᾽</w> <w lemma="au%29th%5Cn">αὐτὴν</w> <w lemma="r%28ei%3Dn">ῥεῖν</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="stratopedei%2Fan">στρατοπεδείαν</w>.

<w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tau%3Dta%2F">ταῦτά</w> <w lemma="fhsi">φησι</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="i%28ppei%3Ds">ἱππεῖς</w> <w lemma="ta%2Fcai">τάξαι</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="qa%2Flattan">θάλατταν</w>, <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="misqofo%2Frous">μισθοφόρους</w> <w lemma="e%28ch%3Ds">ἑξῆς</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftois">τούτοις</w> <w lemma="par%27">παρ᾽</w> <w lemma="au%29to%5Cn">αὐτὸν</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="potamo%2Fn">ποταμόν</w>, <w lemma="e%29xome%2Fnous">ἐχομένους</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftwn">τούτων</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="peltasta%5Cs">πελταστὰς</w> <w lemma="suna%2Fptontas">συνάπτοντας</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="o%29%2Fresi">ὄρεσι</w>.

<head>V. Incapacity of Callisthenes in writing of Military Matters</head>In order that I may not seem to insist arbitrarily on the acceptance of my criticism of such famous writers, I will take one battle and a very celebrated one, a battle which took place at no very distant date and, what is most important, one at which Callisthenes himself was present.

I mean Alexander\'s battle with Darius in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Cilicia&groupId=467&placeId=350">Cilicia</a>. Callisthenes tells us that Alexander had already passed the narrows and the so‑called Cilician gates, while Darius had marched through the pass known as the Gates of Amanus and had descended with his army into <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Cilicia&groupId=467&placeId=350">Cilicia</a>.

On learning from the natives that Alexander was advancing in the direction of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syria&groupId=995&placeId=502">Syria</a> he followed him up, and when he approached the pass, encamped on the banks of the river Pinarus.

the distance, he says, from the sea to the foot of the hills is not more than fourteen stades,

the river running obliquely across this space, with gaps in its banks just where it issues from the mountains, but in its whole course through the plain as far as the sea passing between steep hills difficult to climb.

Having given this sketch of the country, he tells us that Darius and his generals, when Alexander turned and marched back to meet them, decided to draw up the whole phalanx in the camp itself in its original position, the river affording protection, as it ran close past the camp.

After this he says they drew up the cavalry along the sea-shore, the mercenaries next them at the brink of the river, and the peltasts next the mercenaries in a line reaching as far as the mountains.

Walbank Commentary

Overview

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Darius' dispositions: cf. Arr. ii. 8. 5–8; Curt. iii. 9. 1–6; the former gives Ptolemy, the latter's source is uncertain. Arrian and Curtius agree in the main. From right to left Darius' front consisted of (1) 30,000 cavalry under Nabarzanes (in the preliminary stages these were sent across the river to cover Persian preparations, together with 20,000 light-armed; these latter may be the 20,000 troops which Darius stationed on a hillside to the extreme left and almost in the rear of the Macedonian right); (2) 30,000 Greek mercenaries under Thymondas; (3) according to Arrian (ii. 8. 6) 60,000 Cardaces <w lang="el-GR">ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν</w>. Curtius (iii. 9. 3–4) mentions 20,000 barbarian foot under Aristomedes and 40,000 infantry, both on the left wing near Darius; and Arrian's <w lang="el-GR">ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν</w> might mean that the Cardaces were grouped on either side of Darius, the subject of the verb. But P. had the impression from Callisthenes (18. 10) that Darius was in the midst of the Greek mercenaries; and this would fit the more natural interpretation of Arrian (ii. 8. 6) that the Cardaces were on either side of the mercenaries, leaving Darius and his bodyguard of 3,000 horse (Curt. iii. 9. 4) in the middle (cf. Tarn, Alex. ii. 180; Fuller, 158, with plan). The remaining troops were stationed behind the Greek mercenaries and the Persian phalanx; though Curtius (iii. 9. 5) speaks as if Hyrcanian and Median cavalry and that of other peoples was placed on the wing. There were 6,000 javelin-throwers and slingers in front. <milestone unit="page" n="367">[367]</milestone> <figure> <graphic url="12002.gif" scale="100%" /> </figure> 14. THE BATTLE OF ISSUS (From Fuller, The Generalship of Alexander the Great, 158). According to Callisthenes Darius' front contained three elements: (1) cavalry, (2) mercenaries, (3) peltasts. The first two clearly correspond to the troops mentioned by Arrian and Curtius, and the peltasts must be Arrian's Cardaces (and Curtius' pedites barbari), though Arrian calls the Cardaces hoplites. On Cardaces see v. 79. 11 n.; those of Antiochus may be different from those at Issus. We never hear again of Cardaces in the Persian army, and Tarn (Alex. ii. 180–1) accepts the evidence of Strabo, xv. 734, and makes them Persian ephebes. If that is so, Callisthenes may be right when he calls them 'peltasts' (so Tarn, Alex. ii. 181; Fuller, 155). But this links with the view (which P., 18. 1, combats fiercely and with some justice) that they were distinct from the Persian phalanx, which was stationed behind. Therefore it seems more likely that Arrian (Ptolemy) is to be followed. He (Arr. ii. 8. 6) specifically calls the Cardaces hoplites, and regards them as the Persian phalanx (Arr. ii. 8. 8, <w lang="el-GR">τοῦ ἐπὶ φάλαγγος τεταγμένου βαρβαρικοῦ)</w>. On the other hand, Alexander charged them with his cavalry (Arr. ii. 10. 3) and Darius had posted archers before them (ibid., cf. Tarn, Alex. ii. 181 n. 2), which suggests that they were not fully-armed hoplites; for so long as hoplites maintained order, cavalry could not charge them (Delbrck, Klio, 1910, 335; Tarn, HMND, 53, 65–66; Fuller, 160). They were probably the Persian attempt to create a phalanx, but with neither full hoplite armour nor the close Greek formation. <milestone unit="page" n="368">[368]</milestone> The size of Darius' army cannot be ascertained owing to the exaggerated figures passed down. Plutarch (Alex. 18. 4) and Arrian (ii. 8. 8) reckon it at 600,000 (though Arrian's <w lang="el-GR">ἐλέγετο</w> implies some doubt); other figures are 400,000 or more foot and 100,000 horse (Iustin. xi. 9. 1 and Diod. xvii. 31. 2), 300,000 foot and 100,000 horse (Oros. iii. 16. 6), 250,000 foot and 62,200 horse (Curt. iii. 2. 4–9). Tarn (Alex. i. 26 n. 1) argues that Darius' army was no larger or even smaller than Alexander's; but Curtius, iii. 3. 28 and 7. 9, refers only to Darius' effective numbers (in a narrow space) and Curt. iii. 10. 2 conveys nothing about numbers at all. Arrian (ii. 8. 5–7) and Curtius (iii. 9. 1–5) detail at least 143,000 specified troops (30,000 Greek mercenaries, 30,000 cavalry, 60,000 Cardaces, 20,000 light-armed, and 3,000 cavalry around Darius): and numbers on this scale could find a place on the ground available at the Deli Chai (Judeich in Kromayer, AS, iv. 355 ff.). Equally, they can have been exaggerated to the glory of Alexander, just as the totals certainly were.

Specifics

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<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τῶν τηλικούτων ἀνδρῶν</w>:</emph> probably Ephorus and Callisthenes; cf. 22. 7. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">καταξιοπιστεῖσθαι</w>:</emph> so Dindorf for Suidas' <w lang="el-GR">καταξιοπιστεύεσθαι</w>. The sense appears to be 'to claim credence for oneself at the expense of someone else'.

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<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τῆς ἐν Κιλικίᾳ γενομένης? . . . πρὸς Δαρεῖον</w>:</emph> the battle of Issus, fought in November 333. The other sources are Arrian, ii. 6–12; Diod. xvii. 32. 4–37. 1; Curt. iii. 7–11; Plut. Alex. 20. 1–5; Iustin. xi. 9. 1–10; Strabo, xiv. 676. See Judeich in Kromayer–Veith, AS, iv. 354–71 (with earlier bibliography, p. 354); Schlachtenatlas, Gr. Abt. 6, 5 with commentary; for the topography, Janke, 5–74. As Pdech, 115, observes, the apologetic character of Callisthenes' account is shown by his narrow measurements for the battlefield (17. 4, 21. 4), his exaggeration of the difficulties of the terrain (17. 5, 20. 4) and his attributing to Darius a reluctance to face Alexander (22. 2). <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">Ἀλέξανδρον ἤδη διαπεπορεῦσθαι</w>:</emph> <w lang="el-GR">διαπορεύεσθαι</w> (FS) should be kept, with Pdech, though all previous editions accept Schweighaeuser's emendation. Alexander was indeed through the pass when he heard of Darius' position (19. 4); but the passes may have been traversed simultaneously or Callisthenes may have thought them to have been. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τὰ στενὰ καὶ τὰς λεγομένας ἐν τῇ Κιλικίᾳ πύλας</w>:</emph> cf. 8. 3. This is one name for the pass between the sea and the mountains a little north of Alexandretta, the modern Pass of Merkes Su, perhaps <milestone unit="page" n="364">[364]</milestone> <figure> <graphic url="12001.gif" scale="100%" /> </figure> 13. THE MARCHING BEFORE ISSUS (Based on Kromayer–Veith, Schlachtenatlas, Griech. Abt. 6, 5) including the Pillar of Jonah pass adjoining it to the south; cf. Xen. Anab. i. 4. 4, <w lang="el-GR">πύλαι τῆς Κιλικίας καὶ τῆς Συρίας</w>; Artemidorus in Strabo, xiv. 670, 676. Arrian (ii. 6. 1) calls it the Assyrian Gates or (Arr. ii. 5. 1) 'the Gates dividing the Cilician and Assyrian territories' (cf. Janke, 21–28). The Pass of Merkes Su is quite distinct from the Cilician Gates leading over Taurus (mod. Glek Boghaz; Janke, 97–111), through which Alexander had already advanced to reach the Cilician Plain at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Tarsus&groupId=1097&placeId=1928">Tarsus</a> (Arr. ii. 4. 3). See Ruge, RE, <w lang="el-GR">Κιλίκιαι πύλαι</w>, cols. 389–90; Treidler, RE, <w lang="el-GR">πύλαι Κιλίκιαι</w>, Suppl.-B. ix, cols. 1363–4; illustration in Janke, 17. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τῇ διὰ τῶν Ἀμανίδων λεγομένων Πυλῶν</w>:</emph> the more northerly of the two passes between <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Cilicia&groupId=467&placeId=350">Cilicia</a> and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syria&groupId=995&placeId=502">Syria</a> mentioned by Cicero, fam. xv. 4. 4, and probably modern Toprak Kalessi. This Darius will have reached from Sochi (where Alexander believed him still to be) via the Arslan Boghaz, which contains the railway line between Islahije and Osmanije (see Schlachtenatlas, Gr. Abt. 6, 5); cf. Arrian, ii. 7. 1, <w lang="el-GR">Δαρεῖος τὸ κατὰ τὰς πύλας τὰς Ἀμανικὰς καλουμένας ὡς ἐπὶ Ἰσσὸ?ν</w> <milestone unit="page" n="365">[365]</milestone> <w lang="el-GR">προῆγε</w>; Curt. iii. 8. 13, Amanicas Pylas. Darius' retreat will have followed the same route (Janke, 41–42). Strabo, xiv. 676, uses the same name, <w lang="el-GR">Ἀμανίδες πύλαι</w>, to describe the Pass of Kara Kapu to the south-west of Toprak Kalessi, and in xvi. 751, for the Pass of Bailan south-east of Alexandretta, leading over into <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syria&groupId=995&placeId=502">Syria</a>. See Benzinger, RE, <w lang="el-GR">Ἀμανίδες πύλαι</w>, cols. 1723–4; illustration in Janke, 37; cf. 37–44. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">κατᾶραι . . . εἰς Κιλικίαν</w>:</emph> according to Arrian (ii. 7. 1) he descended to Issus, where he mutilated and murdered the wounded left there by Alexander.

12.17.3 - 12.17.3

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">προάγειν τὸν Ἀλέξανδρον ὡς ἐπὶ Συρίαν</w>:</emph> according to Arrian (ii. 6. 1–2) Alexander had learnt when at Mallus that Darius was across Mt. Amanus at Sochi, two days beyond the 'Assyrian Gates', i.e. probably the Pass of Merkes Su with the Pillar of Jonah. He marched with speed, passed through the Gates in two days and because of a storm had camped near Myriandrus (near Alexandretta: exact site unknown) when he received the news that Darius was in his rear (Arr. ii. 6. 2, 7. 2). Miltner (Jahresh. 1933, 69–78) has argued that Alexander had no intention of crossing the Bailan Pass to Sochi, but meant to go south to seize the Syrian coast; but the ancient tradition makes it his object to force Darius to a battle, and this remains the most likely explanation of his movements. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">συνεγγίσαντα τοῖς στενοῖς</w>:</emph> the Cilician Gates (§ 2). <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">παρὰ τὸν Πίναρον ποταμόν</w>:</emph> cf. Arr. ii. 7. 1, <w lang="el-GR">προὐχώρει ἐπὶ τὸν . . . Πίναρον</w>. For the identification of this river opinions vary between the Deli Chai, nearly 30 km. north of Alexandretta, and the Payas, about 10 km. further south. Callisthenes mentions two features which seem to support the Payas, the steep banks and the narrowness of the plain (§ 5); but the steepness of the banks is perhaps exaggerated, for P.'s comment that very steep banks would have prevented a phalanx charge (22. 4) is confirmed by Janke (54), who says that such a charge would have been impossible at the Payas. Further, Callis- thenes reckons the plain at 14 stades width = 2.59 km. At the Deli Chai it is admittedly 6.7 km. wide, but at the Payas it is in reality 4 km. or, reckoning in windings, 4.4 km. wide; clearly then Callisthenes is merely estimating and no weight can be placed on his figures. Again, his statement that Alexander heard of Darius' arrival in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Cilicia&groupId=467&placeId=350">Cilicia</a> when he was 100 stades away and through the pass (19. 4) seems to favour the view that the Payas is meant; but this figure is probably unreliable (19. 4 n.). The Deli Chai is also more easily reconciled with Callisthenes' statement (19. 6, 20. 1) that Alexander brought his army into battle order 40 stades from the enemy; this would be immediately to the north of the Kurudere, which lies 7 km. = 40 stades south of the Deli Chai. But the steep banks of the Payas and the narrowness of the plain at that point are decisive against its <milestone unit="page" n="366">[366]</milestone> being the Pinarus. For full discussion see Janke, 53–74; Klio, 1910, 137 ff.; Judeich in Kromayer, AS, iv. 368–71; Kromayer, HZ, 112, 1914, 351–3; Ruge, RE, 'Pinaros', cols. 1407–8.

12.17.4 - 12.17.4

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">οὐ πλείω τῶν τεττάρων καὶ δέκα σταδίων</w>:</emph> an estimate, and too narrow for a site on either the Deli Chai or the Payas; see preceding note. Janke (54) points out that the effect of a high mountain range (the Amanus reaches 6,000 ft.) would be to induce underestimation of the width of the plain immediately beneath. This is a common phenomenon and may lie behind Callisthenes' figure here.

12.17.5 - 12.17.5

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">φέρεσθαι . . . ἐπικάρσιον</w>:</emph> i.e. at right angles to the hills and the sea; cf. i. 22. 5, vi. 29. 1, 30. 6. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ἐκρήγματα τῶν πλευρῶν</w>:</emph> 'with gaps in its banks'; the <w lang="el-GR">ἐκρήγματα</w> are apparently the deep and precipitous beds of tributary streams which enter it (cf. 20. 4, where they are equated with <w lang="el-GR">κοιλώματα)</w>. <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ἀποτόμους . . . καὶ δυσβάτους λόφους</w>:</emph> cf. 22. 4; Arr. ii. 10. 1, <w lang="el-GR">ταῖς ὄχθαις, πολλαχῆ μὲν ἀποκρήμνοις οὔσαις. λόφους</w> is Casaubon's correction of <w lang="el-GR">λοβούς</w> FS. Callisthenes exaggerates (cf. 18. 12); the <w lang="el-GR">λόφοι</w> are merely the river banks (cf. 22. 4, <w lang="el-GR">τὴν ὀφρύν)</w>.

12.17.6 - 12.17.6

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ἐπεὶ συνεγγίζοιεν . . . ἐξ ὑποστροφῆς . . . ἀναχωροῦντες</w>:</emph> 'when Alexander faced about and, retracing his steps, was approaching . . .'; Alexander returned north from near Myriandrus (cf. § 3 n.) to meet Darius.

12.17.7 - 12.17.7

<emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ἐχομένους τούτων τοὺς πελταστάς</w>:</emph> <w lang="el-GR">τούτων</w> is Schweighaeuser's convincing emendation of <w lang="el-GR">τούτοις</w> FS; Pdech reads <w lang="el-GR">ἑπομένως τούτων</w>, which is no improvement, and his acceptance of <w lang="el-GR">τοὺς δὲ πελταστάς</w> S gives an impossible word order with <w lang="el-GR">δέ</w> at fourth place.

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