Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/274

242 HISTORY OF GREECE. intended for the purpose of detecting such as wei-e spendthrifls, and obtaining a pretext for punishment : a remarkable evidence how little confidence or affection Alexander now inspired, and how completely the sentiment entertained towards him was that of fear mingled with admiration. He liimself was much hurt at their mistrust, and openly complained of it ; at the same time proclaiming that paymasters and tables should be planted openly in the camp, and that any soldier might come and ask for money enough to pay his debts, without being bound to give in his name. Assured of secrecy, they now made application in such numbers that the total distributed was prodigiously great ; reaching, ac- cording to some, to 10,000 talents — according to Ai-rian, not less than 20,000 talents or £4,600,000 sterling.^ Large as this donative was, it probably gave but partial satis- faction, since the most steady and well-conducted soldiers could have received no benefit, except in so far as they might choose to come forward with fictitious debts. A new mortification more- over was in store for the soldiers generally. There arrived from the various satrapies — even from those most distant, Sogdiana, Baktria, Aria, Drangiana, Arachosia, etc. — contingents of young and fresh native troops, amounting in total to 30,000 men ; all armed and drilled in the Macedonian manner. From the time %hen the Macedonians had refused to cross the river Hyphasis and mai-ch forward into India, Alexander saw, that for his large aggressive schemes it was necessary to disband the old soldiers, and to organize an army at once more fresh and more submis- sive. He accordingly despatched orders to the satraps to raise and discipline new Asiatic levies, of vigorous native youths ; and the fruit of these orders was now seen." Alexander reviewed the new levies, whom he called the Epigoni, with great satisfac- tion. He moreover incorporated many native Persians, both officei-s and soldiers, into the Companion-cavalry, the most honor- able service in the army ; making the important change of arm- ' Anian, vii. 5; Plutarch, Alexand. 70; Curtius, x. 2, 9; Diodor. xvii. 109. ' Diodor. xvii 108. It must hare taken some time to get together and discipline these young troops; Alexander must therefore have sent the or^ dcrs fiom Tndia.