Already weakened in body by the heat of the climate and the unwonted fatigues of war, he was utterly prostrated in spirit by the intelligence when it reached him.

The signal was at once given for retreat.

Orders were sent to the _corps d' armee_ which occupied Media to evacuate its conquests and to retire forthwith upon the Euphrates.
These orders were executed, but with difficulty.

Winter had already set in throughout the high regions; and in its retreat the army of Media suffered great losses through the inclemency of the climate, so that those who reached Syria were but a small proportion of the original force.

Alexander himself, and the army which he led, experienced less difficulty; but disease dogged the steps of this division, and when its columns reached Antioch it was found to be greatly reduced in numbers by sickness, though it had never confronted an enemy.