n one side. Seeing this, and regarding the battle
as lost, since his line was broken, his centre and left wing defeated,
while only his right wing remained firm, the Persian monarch yielded to
his alarm, and hastily quitting the field, made his way to Arbela. The
centre and left fled with him. The right, which was under the command
of the Syrian satrap, Mazseus, made a firmer stand. On this side the
chariots had done some damage, and the horse was more than a match for
the Thessalian cavalry. Parmenio found himself in difficulties about the
time when the Persian king fled. His messengers detained a part of the
phalanx, which was about to engage in the pursuit, and even recalled
Alexander, who was hastening upon the track of Darius. The careful
prince turned back, but before he could make his way through the crowd
of fugitives to the side of his lieutenant, victory had declared in
favor of the Macedonians in this part of the field also. Mazseus and his
troops, learning that the king was fled, regarded further resistance as
useless, and quitted the field. The Persian army hurriedly recrossed
the Zab, pursued by the remorseless conquerors, who slew the unresisting
fugitives till they were weary of slaughter. Arrian says that 300,000
fell, while a still larger number were taken prisoners. Other writers
make the loss considerably less. All, however, agree that the army was
completely routed and dispersed, that it made no attempt to rally, and
gave no further trouble to the conqueror.

The conduct of Darius in this--the crisis of his fate--cannot be
approved; but it admits of palliation, and does not compel us to
withdraw from him that respectful compassion which we commonly accord
to great misfortunes. After Issus, it was his duty to make at least one
more effort against the invader. To this object he addressed himself
with earnestness and diligence. The number and quality of the troops
collected at Arbela attests at once the zeal and success of his
endeavors. His choice and careful preparation of the field of battle
are commendable; in his disposition of his forces there is nothing with
which to find fault. Every arm of the service had full room to act; all
were brought into play; if Alexander conquered, it was because he was a
consummate general, while at the same time he commanded the best troops
in the world. Arbela was not, like Issus, won by mere fighting. It was
the leader's victory, rather than the soldiers. Alexander