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According to Engels the most of the maps showing ATG route from Dascylion to Sardis in a straight line through rugged mountains,canyons and barren scrub land may be wrong,since if we take Arrian's text it is probable that he was not in Dascylion after Granicus but sent Parmenion there.So,says Engels,in all probability,he chose the coastal route followed by all armies traveling north to south in the Troad. Considering this,and the consistent essay written by Engels I think the books and maps which describe ATG rote should pay atention to this fact.

Hello Mario,Engels gives us a useful tool in analyzing much of what happened between 336 and 323 b.c. He has forced me to re-examine my own views and work on numerous occasions. By showing ATG's achievements in a different light he has exposed some of the difficulties encountered by the Macedonians and thus provided a more realistic rendering of this longest of campaigns. That Alexander was a true tactical genius is now more clear than could have been postulated by a simple analysis of the extant sources. Logistics were all important, and those commanders who overlooked that simple fact paid a terrible price. It is one of the measures of Alexander's genius often overlooked when analyzing his actions and accomplishments. later Nicator

Hi Mario,Yes, I found that bit in Engels interesting. If I recall correctly, all Arrian says is that Alexander went from the Granicus to Sardis, which everyone has assumed involved a direct route. I thought the idea of a route which took the army back round by Troy to be interesting - and convincing, considering they still were still probably in need of provisioning by the fleet.I think Engels is an excellent book, and should be compulsory reading! :-)All the bestMarcus