Quintus Curtius Rufus, History of Alexander 3.3.8-16, 20-7 It is an ancestral tradition amongst the Persians not to begin a march until after sunrise, and the day was already well advanced when the signal - from a horn - was given from the king’s tent. Above the tent, so that it would be visible to all, a representation of the sun gleamed in a crystal case. The order of the line of march was as follows: in front, on silver altars, was carried the fire which the Persians called sacred and eternal. Next came the Magi, chanting a traditional hymn, and they were followed by 365 young men in scarlet cloaks, their number equalling the days of the year. . . . Then came the chariot consecrated to [Ahuramazda]; these were followed by a horse of extraordinary size, which they called the Horse of the Sun. Golden sceptres and white robes adorned the horse-riders. Not far behind were ten carts amply decorated with relief carvings in gold and silver, and these were followed by a cavalry of twelve nations of different cultures, variously armed.
Next in line were the soldiers whom the Persians call Immortals, some 10,000 in number. No other group were so well bedecked with barbaric splendour: golden necklaces, clothes interwoven with gold, long-sleeved tunics actually studded with precious stones. After a short interval came the 15,000 men known as the king’s kinsmen, 15,000 men; this throng, with its almost ladylike elegance was conspicuous more for its luxury than its arms. The column next to these comprised the Doryphoroi, the Gentlemen of the Royal Wardrobe [probably meant to read Dorophoroi - literally, ‘Gift Bearers’] . . . and these preceded the royal chariot on which rode the king himself, towering above all others. Both sides of the chariot were decorated with divine emblems in gold and silver; even the yoke was studded with gemstones and on it rose two gold statuettes, each a cubit high, of the king’s ancestors: Ninus and Belus. Between these was a sacred golden eagle, its wings depicted outspread. . . . The chariot was followed by 10,000 spearmen carrying lances chased with silver and tipped with gold, and to right and left he was attended by 200 of his royal relatives. At the end of the column came 30,000 foot-soldiers, followed by 400 of the king’s horses.
Next, at a distance of one stade, came Sisygambis, the mother of Darius, drawn in one carriage, and in another came his wife. A throng of women of the queen’s household rode on horseback. There followed the fifteen so-called harmamaxae in which rode the king’s children, their nurses and a herd of eunuchs who are not at all despised by these people. Next came the carriages of 365 royal concubines, all regally dressed and adorned and behind them 600 mules and 300 camels carrying the king’s treasury, with a guard of archers in attendance. After this column rode the women of the king’s relatives and friends, and hordes of camp-followers and servants. At the end, to close up the rear, were the light-armed troops with their respective leaders.
On the other hand, to look at the Macedonian army one would see something very different: its men and horses were not gleaming with gold and multi-coloured garments, but with steel and bronze; an army prepared to stand, or to chase, not over-burdened with baggage or excessive numbers.
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