[ 229 ] 



disdained to fly, and for a long time fought with obstinate intrepidity ; 

 though excessively impeded in their movements by the pressure of 

 the immense throng around them, who had already suffered dis- 

 comfiture. 



The immediate presence of the two mighty competitors for Asia, 

 the amaxing greatness of the stake, and the exasperation of personal 

 animosity between the loyal and rebellious Greeks, between those 

 who fought for the liberty of their country and those who combated 

 to overthrow it, animated either party to deeds of incredible bravery, 

 and the carnage in that quarter became not only continued and hor- 

 rible, but the ultimate success Avas, for a long time, in the highest 

 degree doubtful. At the hottest period of the contest, a circumstance 

 occurred that immediately turned the scale in favour of the Ma- 

 cedonians ; for Alexander, impatient of protracted victory, with all 

 his strength launching a javelin at his rival as he sate fighting in his 

 lofty and splendid car, struck the charioteer to earth. An imme- 

 diate rumour spread rapidly through the ranks that Darius himself 

 was slain, and the loud and piercing shrieks of lamentation that 

 followed, for the fallen sovereign, served at once to propagate and 

 confirm the disastrous report. All the rest of the royal family, who 

 were in the battle, supposing that every thing was now lost, imme- 

 diately fled with the guards ; and Darius, in the agony of his 

 despair, is reported by some of his historians to have drawn his 

 cimeter with intent to dispatch himself; but, looking eagerly round, 

 and seeing the large portion of his army that formed his left wing, 

 still furiously engaged with the enemy, and a few loyal battalions 

 still encircling him, he was received into the centre of that faithful 

 band, and by them protected in the flight which his personal safety 

 now rendered indispensably necessary*. The imminent danger which 



* Diod. Sic. lib. \vii. p. 540. 



