their own advantage; and, besides the natives who rendered their services in the collection, fitting out and navigating the fleet, it is further stated that an ample supply of mariners was obtained from a number of Phœnicians, Egyptians, Cypriotes, Ionians, and others from the shores of the Hellespont, and from the Ægean islands, who had accompanied the army, in various capacities, as camp followers.[1]
Departure of his fleet from Nicæa, B.C. 326.
Description of the vessels employed.
Thus prepared, the expedition started from Nicæa
on the 1st October, B.C. 326. The voyage down the
river is described rather as a triumphal procession
than a military progress. The size of many of the
transport vessels, and of the barges for the conveyance
of horses, the splendour of the equipments, the
clang of arms, and the sound of musical instruments,
attracted the natives in vast numbers to the banks
of the river, as wondering spectators to the pomp.
Nor, probably, were they less surprised at the
measured chant of the rowers, and the dashing of
the oars in the still waters: subjects on which all
the historians of this remarkable expedition have
dwelt in detail, doubtless thereby conveying an
accurate account of this remarkable exploit. But
though there can be no doubt of the general truth of
the story as handed down to us by Arrian, the descriptions
of the vessels which composed it are, in
some respects, inconsistent with each other. The
transports were probably short flat vessels, to which
the ordinary small barge of the present day bears,
perhaps, a greater resemblance than any other craft.
- ↑ Vincent, vol. i. p. 122. It is worthy of remark that not a single native of Southern Greece—even of Athens—is mentioned among the leading followers of Alexander. Nearchus was a Macedonian of Amphipolis; three other naval chiefs were from Cos, Teos, and Cyprus.
