A question concerning Gaugamela

[Nicator]

Hello fine Pothosians,
Just came across this web page while doing an exploratory re-write of a set piece (I swear some day I'll stop).

http://www.lbdb.com/TMDisplayBattle.cfm?BID=94&WID=46

There is an interesting tidbit concerning the Lycas passage.

"and Darius taking to flight, the whole army fled in confusion, and was routed with enormous loss, especially at the passage of the Lycas, which barred their retreat. "

Where does this come from? I'm familiar with the Lycas River, where Alexander briefly stoopped to water his horses, but engaged in a slaughter of the retreating troops...what? Is this in Curtius? Maybe someday, I'll convince myself to give it a read.

[amyntoros]

You are right Nicator, it does come from Curtius, although it's not exactly a slaughter on Alexander's part.

Curtius 4.16.8. With only a few accompanying him in his flight, Darius had sped to the river Lycus. After crossing he considered breaking down the bridge, since reports kept arriving that the enemy would soon be there, but he could see that destroying the bridge would make the thousands of his men who had not yet reached the river an easy prey for the enemy. (9) We have it on good authority that, as he went off leaving the bridge intact, he declared that he would rather leave a road to those chasing him than take one away from the Persian fugitives. Darius, himself, covering a huge distance in his flight, reached Arbela about midnight. . . . (16) As observed above, Alexander had checked his menGÇÖs swift pursuit and had now reached the river Lycus. Here the huge numbers of fleeing Persians had overloaded the bridge. Several had hurled themselves into the river as the enemy bore down on them, and because of the weight of their armour and their exhaustion from running and fighting they were sucked down into the eddies. (17) As the waves of fugitives kept piling blindly on to each other, there was no longer room for them not only on the bridge but even in the river; for when men have begun to panic, their fear is only for the original cause of their terror.

(Immediately following the above passage, Curtius records that Alexander decided to go back and give assistance to his men, specifically the left wing which he believed to still be in combat.)

Now, doesnGÇÖt this make you want to read more of Curtius? I love his work, but I think if you started to read him now youGÇÖd probably never get to finish your opus.

Best regards,

[Nicator]

Hello Amyntoros,
As always, your posts are timely and informative, so thank you . It seems that Green relied so much on Curtius at times it felt like I was reading Curtius (from what little I could tell from what I have read of Curtius). I've always avoided Curtius because of the negative bias purported to exist throughout his narrative. At this time, you are probably right though.

[marcus]

I've always avoided Curtius because of the negative bias purported to exist throughout his narrative.

I wouldn't worry too much about his "bias" - it's just a fantastic read. Also, much has been done to rehabilitate Curtius, and deservedly so. When I was working on my own book I ended up using him far more than I thought I would, because there's so much excellent detail - and, whether 'historical' or not, his treatment of some episodes, especially the Philotas Affair, is much more satisfying that what you find in Arrian or any of the other major sources.

I really do urge you to get on to Curtius.

ATB