ABSTRACT
—Before we enter upon what are among the greatest campaigns in the world's history, let us consider for a moment the principal factors in the situation. In the preceding chapters we have followed continuously the relations between Persia and Hellas, and it is clear from these that whereas the Persian Empire was old and tending to decrepitude, Alexander represented a young and vigorous power. Furthermore, he stood for a higher civilization than that of Persia, where blind obedience to the Great King stifled progress and contrasted unfavourably with the remarkably free individuality of the Greeks.
