a Citie This Cities name was Mesphila the Medians sometimes inhabited it The foundation was of hollow carued stone and had 50 foot in bredth 50 foot in heighth Vpon it was raised a stone wall 50 foot broad and 100 foot high The circuit of the wall was 6 Parasangs It is said that Media the Kings wife fled hither when the Persians wrung the Empire out of the Medians hands and that the Persian King could not take it either by time or force till Iupiter sent a madnesse amongst the inhabitants and so it was ouercome From thence they marched 4 Parasangs in one encamping Here Tissaphernes appeared with his owne horse with the forces of Orontes who had with him â—he Kings daughter with the Barbarians that ascended with Cyrus with those that the Kings brother brought to the Kings aide and with as many other as the King gaue him So that the Armie seemed huge and mighty When he came neere he ordered some of his troopes against the reare of the Grecians some against the flanks yet durst he not charge nor had in minde to hazard battell He commanded only his Souldiers to sling and shoot When the â—hodians that were here and there dispersed amongst the Grecians began to sling and the Archers after the Scythian manner to shoot and no man missed his marke for he could not though he would in such a multitude both Tissaphernes quickly retired out of danger and his troopes likewise The rest of the day the Grecians marched on and the Persians followed but yet forbore to skirmish any more For the Rhodians slinged further than the Persians could sling and further than most of their archers shot The Persian bowes are great so that the arrowes that were gathered vp serued the Cretans to good purpose For they vsed them much and endeuoured by raising their compasse to send them a great distance In the villages thereabouts both many Bow-strings were found much Lead which they conuerted to the vse of slings And so this day after the Grecians had quartered in the villages which they happened vpon the Barbarians departed hauing the worst in the skirmish The next day they sate still and made prouision of victuals for there was plenty in the villages The next day after they marched forward thorow the Champeigne and Tissaphernes followed skirmishing Here they perceiued that a Plaesium or hollow battell with equall sides was no good forme to march in the enemy following in the reare For in case the wings of the Plaesium thronged together either by reason of the straight way or compulsion of mountaines or of a bridge the armed foot must needs be brought out of order and march at small ease being partly thronged partly forced out of the place they held and in this disarray there would be no great vse of them And when the wings were againe opened they that were so disordered must needes be broken asunder and the middest of the wings emptie the souldiers discomforted especially the enemy being at their heeles And if a Bridge were to be passed or some such straight euery man would haste desiring to be ouer first So that the enemy had then a faire opportunity to giue on The Coronels perceiuing this framed six Companies euery one consisting of an hundred men and appointed Captaines ouer them and Penteconters and Enomotarches These Captaines when the wings closed and thronged too neere in marching staid behinde and kept without the wings for feare of disordering them When the sides of the square battell opened too wide they filled the middest if the space were narrow by Companies if a little wider by fifties if very wide by Enomoties So that the middest was alway shut vp and full If a bridge or other straight were to be passed there was no disorder because the Captaines euery one led ouer his Company apart and when a Phalange was needfull sleeued vp one by another In this manner they marched foure encampings the fifth brought them to the sight of a Palace and of many villages about it The way leading to it was ouer high hills which began from a mountaine vnder which a village was situate The Grecians were glad to see the hills as was reason the most part of the enemies forces being Hors-men But when marching out of the Champeigne they had gained the first hill and descending from thence raised their battell vp against the second the Barbarians were forth with at hand and cast weapons at them downe from the higher ground being compelled with stripes to sling and shoot and they wounded many and had the better of the Grecian light armed and shut them vp within the battell of the armed so that this whole day the Slingers and Archers did little or rather no seruice being glad to hide themselues amongst the vnarmed multitude And when the Grecian armed being hardly laid vnto sought to fall out they had much adoe to climbe the hill in their armour whereas the enemy retired with ease Againe when they retired to the rest of the armed their danger was as great Whereupon the Coronels thought good not to moue the army from the third hill Notwithstanding they led certaine Targetiers from the right flanke of the square battell toward the mountaine After these had gotten aboue the heads of the enemy the enemy forbore to presse vpon such as descended fearing to be cut off by our Souldiers that enclosed them on both sides Thus marched the Grecians the rest of the day some by the way vpon the hills other some right ouer against them on the side of the mountaine till they came to the villages where they appointed eight Physicians because many of the Souldiers were hurt Here they staied three daies both to fauour the wounded and also for that much victuall was found meale wine and barley which last was laid vp for horses in abundance All these things were stored and laid vp for the ruler of the Prouince The fourth day they descended into the Champeigne where when Tissaphernes had ouertaken them with his forces he taught them by necessitie to encampe in the first village they reached vnto and to march no more fighting For many were vnfit to fight by reason of their wounds many by carrying the wounded and no lesse they that had the armes of both charged vpon their backes After they had taken vp their lodging the Barbarians comming to the village offered skirmish in which the Grecians had a great deale the better For it was much easier to sally and so represse the enemy than to march fighting with them as they followed at their backes When it was night the enemy was to depart For the Barbarians fearing to be assailed by night neuer encampe lesse than sixtie furlongs from the Grecians Their manner of encamping is dangerous also in the night Their Horse are tied and for the most part fettered left being loose they might happen to run away And
one of the targetiers came to Xenophon and told him that he had serued as a slaue in Athens added that he seemed to know the language of the enemy I thinke quoth he that this is mine own country and if you thinke good I would faine speake with them You may do it freely quoth Xenophon if you lift and know of them first what people they are They answered they were Macrons Aske them againe quoth he why they oppose against vs in armes desire to be our enemies They answered because you go about to inuade our countrey The Coronels willed the interpreter to say they came not to offer wrong but hauing made war against the king they returned into Greece and would faine come to the Sea The Macrons asked the Grecians againe whether they would giue assurance of that they said Who answered they were readie to giue take assurance Hereupon the Macrons gaue to the Grecians a Barbarian speare and the Grecians a Grecian speare to them For they said that this was the manner of assurance amongst them But both parties called the gods to witnesse After assurance giuen the Macrons helped the Grecians to cut down trees leuelled the way to further our passage came and conuersed with the Grecians furnishing out such a market as they were able and led them forward three daies iourney till they had set them vpon the Colchan mountaines There was in that countrey a high Mountaine but yet passable vpon which the Colchans had ranged themselues in battell At the first the Grecians ordered their troops against them in a Phalange as if they purposed to inuade the Mountaine in that forme Xenophon aduised them that laying aside the forme of a Phalange the best course would be to put themselues into single Companies drawne out in File For a Phalange said he will soone be broken by reason of the inequalitie of way which in some part of the Mountaine will be easie enough in other parts hard to ascend And it will quickly discourage the Souldiers to see the Phalange disordered in which they march Furthermore if we aduance in a large Front the enemie that exceedeth vs in number will ouer-front vs and vse his multitude to most aduantage if in a narrow Front it will be no maruell to see our Phalange cut in peeces with the number of missiue weapons and with multitude of men that will fall vpon it which comming to passe in any part the whole Phalange will be distressed Therefore as I said I hold it best to order our selues in companies stretched out in file or depth euery companie hauing such distance from other that the out-most companies may ouer-front and be without the points of the enemies wings So shall we both gain the aduantage of ouer-fronting their army marching on the companies being in file our best men shall first giue on vpon the enemie And let euerie companie make choise of the fittest way for ascent Now for the spaces betwixt each companie it will not be easie for the enemie to enter them the companies flancking euerie space nor yet to cut off a companie aduancing in such depth And if any companie chance to be distressed the next companie is to succour it And in case any one of the companies attaine the top of the Hill assure your selues no enemie will keepe his ground The aduice was approued by all and they drew their companies euerie one into a File Xenophon going from the right wing to the left said to the Souldiers These ô Souldiers whom you see are the only hindrance of our passage thither whither we haste with so great desire If it be possible we must deuoure them raw When euerie man was in his place and euerie companie in File the companies of the armed amounted to about 80 in number and euerie companie contained well-neere 100 men The Targetiers and Archers were diuided into three parts One part marched without the left Wing another without the right the third in the middest Then the Coronels commanded the Souldiers to pray When they had praied they sang the Pâ—an and so aduanced forward and the enemie made head against them Cherisophus and Xenophon and the Targetiers with them being without the points of the enemies battell marched on The enemie perceiuing it sought to meet them and some of them drawing to the right some to the left hand they rent their Phalange asunder and left much void space in the middest When the Arcadian Peltasts whose Captaine Aeschines the Acarnan was saw them distracted and seuered they imagined they fled and ran on with as much speed as they could They were the first that gained the Mountaine The armed Arcadians commanded by Cleanor the Orchomenian followed at their heeles The enemie stood firme in no place after they saw them come running on but fled some one way some another So the Grecians ascending the Mountaine quartered in many Villages replenished with all things necessarie In other things there was no cause of maruell only there were many Bee-hiues the Hony-combes whereof whosoeuer eat they became euerie man mad and scoured vpward and downeward and none was able to stand vpon their feet They that eat but a little were like drunken that eat much like mad and some like dead men and there lay so many vpon the ground that a man would haue thought an ouerthrow had been receiued from an enemie which caused much discouragement amongst the Troopes The next day there was no man found dead and they came to their right sense about the same houre they fel into their malady The third fourth day after they arose as if they had receiued some medicine From thence they marched seuen Parasangs in two encampings came to the sea side to Trapezond a Grecian city well inhabited which is situate vpon the Euxine Sea being a Colonie of the Sinopeans planted in the Colchan Countrey They remained about 30 dayes in the Colchan countrey spoiling preying it The Trapezuntines exhibited a Market to the Campe and gaue the Grecians gifts of hospitalitie viz. Oxen Meale and Wine entertaining them kindly They transacted likewise for the next neighbour Colchans especially for those that inhabited the Plaine from whom also were sent gifts of hospitalitie which were for the most part Oxen. Here the Armie prepared the sacrifice which they had vowed for a sufficient number of Oxen was sent vnto them to Iupiter the sauiour to Hercules who had so well guided and protected them in their whole iourney They praied likewise to other gods Besides they ordeined Games of exercise in the Mountaine where they encamped chose Dracontius the Lacedemonian who being yet a boy fled his Countrey for killing another boy with the stroke of a Cimitery against his will to order the running and to be president of the Games When the sacrifice was ended they gaue the beasts skins to Dracontius willed him to leade
by Clearchus on the right hand and all the Targetiers of the Grecians On the left hand of the whole Phalange Arieus Cyrus his Lieutenant Generall and the remnant of the Barbarians Cyrus himselfe held the middest with 600 Hors-men which were armed with great Curaces and tases and all of them with Caskes except Cyrus alone Cyrus stood waiting the fight with his head vnarmed It is said that other Persians also when they hazard battell fight with their heads vnarmed All the Horse that serued vnder Cyrus had both Frontlets and Brest-plates the Hors-men had Grecian Swords also It was now mid-day and the enemie was not yet come in sight but when mid-day was past first a dust appeared like vnto a Cloud and a little while after a kinde of blacknesse spread ouer the whole Plaine When they came somewhat neerer a man might discerne the shining of Brasse and their Speares and array were easily discouered And on the left Wing of the enemie were placed Hors-men armed with white Curaces who were reported to be vnder the command of Tissaphernes next to whom were placed the Wickar Targetiers and hard by them armed Foot that caried long Woodden Targets reaching downe to their feet They were said to be Aegyptians then other Hors-men and other Archers all according to their Nations and euerie Nation was cast into a Plesium or square battell full of men and before them the Sythed Chariots distant a good space one from another These Chariots had on the sides Sythes prominent and bearing straight forth from the Axeltrees and some from the former Seat of the Chariot with their points turned toward the ground to the end to cut a peeces whatsoeuer they met and strooke vpon The Kings purpose was to send them with high speed against the rankes of the Grecians to breake and rent them in peeces Cyrus in a speech heretofore deliuered exhorting and encouraging the Grecians gaue them to vnderstand it should be enough only to endure the cry and shout of the Barbarians But he was therein greatly deceiued for they aduanced not with a cry but with as great silence and quietnesse as was possible continuing still in an equall and slow pace Cyrus at this time galloping vp to the right Wing with Pigres his Interpreter and with three or foure more cried out to Clearchus to lead the Grecians against the middest of the enemies battell because the King was there for if it be ouercome quoth he there is no more for vs to doe Clearchus seeing the middest of the battell and hearing from Cyrus that the King was farre without the point of the left wing of the Grecian Phalange for the king so abounded in multitude that all the middest of his battell stretched and was extended without the left Wing of Cyrus his Troopes would not for all that draw away the right Wing from the Riuer fearing to be ouerfronted and incompassed on both sides but answered Cyrus He would haue a care that all things should goe well In the meane time the Barbarians Army aduanced equally but the Grecians remaining in the same place increased still and ordered their Troops as they came on And Cyrus putting forth a little before the rest viewed both Armies at a good distance casting his eyes sometimes vpon the enemie sometimes vpon his friends whom when Xenophon the Athenian being amongst the Grecians perceiued he spurred his Horse to meet him and when he was come vp asked if he would command any thing Cyrus pausing a little said Tell all your people that the beast sacrifâ—ced and the inwards promise vs good lucke In speaking this he heard a murmuring that ran along cleane thorow the Grecian Troopes and asked what noise it might be and what it meant Xenophon told him the Word was now giuen the second time He mâ—ruailed who had betraied the Word and asked what the new Word was Xenophon answered Iupiter the Sauiour and Victorie which Cyrus hearing I accept it said he and let it be so After he had thus spoken he returned to his owne plaâ—â— And now the two Phalanges were not aboue three or foure Furlongs one from another when the Grecians sang the Paan and set forward against the enemie The part of the Phalange which aduanced swelled toward the Front as it had been a waue of the Sea and the hinder part began to follow apace and all shouted as they are wont in a Furie Martiall and all ran on at once Some also report that they beat their Pikes vpon their Targets to the end to scare the Horses Before they came within an Arrowes shot the Barbarians turned their Horses and fled The Grecians followed the chace with all speed and cryed one to another not â—o run and haste too much but to follow in good order The Chariots void of guides were caried some vpon the enemies themselues some vpon the Grecians who vpon a forecast opened and let them passe thorow yet were there some that were ouerthrowne for feare as it is wont to happen in a Horse race who notwithstanding were reported to haue had no harme nor yet any other Grecian in this whole fight one only excepted who was strucken with an Arrow in the left side Cyrus seeing the Grecians haue the victorie against their aduersaries and hotly pursuing them reioiced much and was now worshipped of those that were about him as King Notwithstanding he brake not out to follow the câ—ace but keeping by him his Troope of 600 Horse close serred he obserued what the King had in intention to doe For he knew well that his place was in the middest of the Persian Phalange as it is the manner of all the Persian Commanders to leade in the middest of their Troopes conceiuing that they are there in greatest safetie both because their strength is equally diuided on both sides of them and in case of Commands the Armie may receiue directions in halfe the time it should if they were else-where placed So the King being then in his Station in the middest of his Phalange and yet without the point of Cyrus his left Wing and seeing no man to fight against him on the contrarie part nor yet against the Troopes that were ranged before him he wound and turned his battell to the left hand to the intent to ouerwing and encompasse in his aduersaries which Cyrus perceiuing and fearing lest comming on the backes of the Grecians he should cut them in peeces he galloped forth and met him in Front and charging with his 600 ouercame and put to flight the 6000 that were ordered before the King and with his owne hands as the report goeth slew Artagerses one of the Generals of the King They were no sooner put to flight but Cyrus his 600 pursuing hotly were dispersed here and there except a few that were left with him who were for the most part such as vsually sate at his Table being accompanied with
Villages they saw euery one went and tooke possession of his owne Polycrates an Athenian Captaine asked leaue to goe before and taking with him the light-armed and hasting to the Village that fell to Xenophons lot found within it all the inhabitants and the Comarch or chiefe Ruler of the Village and 17 Colts that were fed as a tribute for the King and the daughter of the Gouernour who had beene maried some nine daies before whose husband was then absent hunting the Hare and so came not to be taken in any of the Villages The houses were vnder ground and the doore of them like the mouth of a Well but broad and large beneath The entry for cariage beasts was digged men ascended by ladders In the houses were goats sheepe oxen and birds with their young ones by them All the beasts were fed within doores with fodder There was besides wheat and barley and pulse and wine in great vessels made of barley The barley filled the vessels to the very top and there lay vpon it Reeds without knots some great some little If a man were thirsty these Reeds were to be taken into the mouth and sucked and it was a strong drinke if vnmingled with water and very pleasant to them that were acquainted with it Xenophon tooke the Comarch vnto him and that night set him at his owne table and willed him to be of good cheere assuring him he should not lose his children and that if he would shew himselfe a friend to the Grecians in leading and directing their Army till they came to another Countrey he would at his departing fill his house with all things fit for vse The Comarch promised he would and in token of loue shewed the place where wine was stored vnder the earth So the Souldiers being thus lodged passed the night in abundance of all things they could desire hauing the Comarch in their custody and his children before their eyes The next day Xenophon taking the Comarch with him went to Cherisophus and passing thorow the Villages in his way visited them that were lodged there and found them banqueting and merry in euery place neither would they suffer him to depart vntill they had set dinner before him and in all houses the tables were furnished with lambe kid porke veale fowle and with much bread some made of wheat some of barley If any man of curtesie would drinke to another he drew him to the vessell to which he was to stoope and drinke supping like an Oxe They gaue the Comarch leaue to take what he list yet tooke he nothing vnlesse he espied by chance any of his kinsmen whom hee caried away with him When they came to Cherisophus they found all the Souldiers in the houses crowned with hay garlands and Armenian boyes clad in Barbarian apparell waiting vpon them to whom when they would haue any thing done they were faine to make signes as to deafe men After Cherisophus and Xenophon had beene merry together they asked the Comarch by an Interpreter what the Countrey was He answered it was Armenia Againe they asked him for whom those horses were bred and kept he answered they were the Kings tribute The next Countrey he said was the Chalybians countrey and shewed them the way that led thither After this Xenophon brought him home to his house and the old horse which he had taken he gaue him to be reserued for a sacrifice For he heard that he was consecrated to the Sunne and feared he would die because he fainted in the iourney He himselfe tooke to him one of the Colts and distributed the rest to the other Coronels and Captaines The horse of that Countrey are lesse than the Persian horse but much more deedy and full of metall The Comarch also taught them as often as their horse or cariage-beasts were to be driuen thorow the Snow to binde little bags about their feet for without these bags they fell vp to the belly in Snow When the eight day was come Xenophon deliuered the Comarch to Cherisophus to be their guide but left all his houshold to him except only one of his sonnes who was lately come to mans estate Him he deliuered to Episthenes the Amphipolitan to be kept vpon condition that if he guided the Armie well he might take his sonne home with him at his returne Besides they conueighed into his house as many things as they could and so rising with their whole Campe they marched forward The Comarch guided them vnbound because of the Snow and now they were in the third encamping when Cherisophus waxed angry with the Guide because he conducted them to no Villages He answered that there were none thereabout Cherisophus beat him but bound him not by reason whereof he shifted away by night leauing his sonne behinde him This was the only difference and distaste betwixt Cherisophus and Xenophon during this whole iourney For the Guide was ill intreated and yet not looked vnto nor made fast Episthenes was in loue with the boy and carrying him home into Greece found him alwaies after exceeding faithfull and trustie After this they marched forward seuen encampings fiue Parasangs euery day euen as farre as the riuer Phasis which is a plether broad From thence they marched 10 Parasangs in two encampings The Chalybians Taochans and Phasians shewed themselues on the top of a hill from whence the descent into the Plaine lay Cherisophus after he perceiued the enemy on the height of the hill made Alt about thirtie furlongs off being loth to approach them with his army led in a wing he gaue the word that the following Companies should sleeâ—e vp by the first to the end the army might be formed into a Phalange or broad fronted battell When the Reare was come vp immediately he called a Court of Coronels and Captaines and spake thus â—he enemy as you see hath taken the top of the mountaine It is time for vs to aduise how we shall most commodiously come to fight with them Mine opinion is therefore that we first command the Souldiers to dine and then in the meane space consult whether it be best to passe ouer the mountaine to day or to morrow And mine opinion is said Cleanor that after dinner we presently arme and with all celeritie goe against them For if we linger this day the enemy that beholds vs now will wax bolder and other animated with their boldnesse will ioyne vnto them After him Xenophon spake and said I conceiue thus that if we must needs fight we are to prepare our selues to fight with the greatest aduantage we are able But if we desire to passe the hill with least trouble we ought to consider how to receiue fewest wounds and lose fewest men The hill which we see is more than 60 furlongs in length and men no where appeare to hinder vs but onely vpon the way of our march It is better therefore to endeuour
Horse and Foot vpon the mountaines ouer against the Army ordered in a Phalange For Spithridates and Rathines were come thither with forces sent from Pharnabazus When the enemy espied the Grecians they made Alt about 15 Furlongs off Hereupon Arexion the soothsayer of the Grecians sacrificed and the entrailes were faire at the very first Then said Xenophon I thinke it best ô Coronels to chuse out certaine Companies and to order them in the Reare of the Phalange for seconds that if need be there may be some to giue aid to the Phalange and that the enemy being disordered may fall vpon them standing in order and readie for fight All yeelded to this opinion You then quoth he lead on against the enemy that we make no stay after we see and are seene of them If you thinke good I will go take some of the Reare Companies and separate them for this seruice Hereupon they marched on leasurely But Xenophon taking three Companies of 200. apeece from the Reare sent one to follow the Phalange on the right hand about a Plethers distance Samolas the Achâ—â—â— was the leader thereof another he separated to follow in the middest the command whereof Pyrias the Arcadian had the third on the left hand vnder the command of Phrasias the Athenian As they marched they chanced vpon a great Forrest and hardly passable where they made Alt being ignorant whether they might get thorow it or no and the word was giuen for the Coronels and Captaines to come vp to the Front Xenophon maruelling at the sâ—ay of the march and hearing the word that was giuen galloped vp to the Front with all speed When they were come together Sophoâ—etus the eldest of the Coronels said he thought not fit that such a Forrest as that should be trauersed thorow Xenophon quickly answering him spake thus My coÌ„panions you know as I thinke that I neuer willingly brought you into any danger For I see that you need no glory that may be purchased with valour but rather stand in need of safetie alone The case now standeth thus that we cannot depart hence without fight For if we goe not against the enemy he will follow and charge vs in our retreat Consider then which of the two is the better to goe against them with armes in our hands or facing about to see them fall vpon our Reare You cannot be ignorant that to dismarch from an enemy was euer held dishonourable by a man of valour as contrariwise that to pursue giueth courage euen to a coward For my part I had rather follow with halfe the number we haue than dismarch with twice so many I know also that there is none of you feareth they will stand our first charge if we seeke them Whereas no man is ignorant that they dare and will be readie to follow vpon vs if we retire If any man conceiue it a matter of danger to haue the Forrest behinde vs in our fight I hold it rather an aduantage to be sought for To the enemies I could wish that all places might seeme easie to shift away that they may haue occasion to turne their backes For you you ought to learne of the place it selfe that there is no saâ—etie but in victory But I should not a little maruell if any of you could once imagine that this Forrest is more fearefull for vs to trauerse than other places which wee haue alreadie passed For how could we haue gone thorow the plaine countrey if we had not ouercome the enemies Horse or ouer the mountaines if so many Peltasts had pressed vs Admit now we come safe to the Sea how gâ—eat a Forrest is the Sea Where if we remaine we shall finde neither shipping to transport vs nor victuall to nourish vs. And we shall no sooner arriue there but we must immediately issue out of our Campe to seeke prouision Is it not therefore better to fight with the enemy now we haue dined than to morrow fasting The sacrifice is faire and the presage of the euent fortunate and the entrailes of the beasts portend good lucke Let vs march against them and since we are come into their sight let vs not giue them leaue either to sup with content or to sleepe where themselues are disposed Hereupon the Captaines willed him to lead on and no man gainsaid it Leading on hee gaue the word that euery man should passe the Forrest in the very place where he was For he conceiued that the Army should more easily passe singling themselues as the way fell out than if they clustrâ—d and thronged at a Bridge which might be in the Forrest When all were thorow hee rid along the Phalange and said Remember ô Souldiers what battels you haue by the helpe of the gods gained together against your enemies and what they haue suffered that fled from the enemy and withall call to minde that you are at the gates of Greece Follow Hercules your guide and exhort one another by name It will be a pleasure for him that doth or speaketh any thing worthy of a braue minde to leaue a memorie of his worth in any place where hee will These words he spake riding in haste along the Front and withall led on the Phalangâ— and ordered the Peltasts on either wing thereof and so went against the enemy He also commanded them to carry their pikes on their right shoulders till he gaue a signe with the trumpet then charging them to follow leisurely and no man to giue chase running Then was the word giuen Iupiter the sauiour and Hercules the guide The enemy kept his ground trusting to the strength of the place When they came neere one to another the Grecian Peltasts giuing a shout ran forth against the enemy without command and were encountred and put to flight by the Bithynian horse and foot But when the Phalange of the armed marching speedily came vp and the trumpet sounded and they sang the Paean and afterward gaue a shout and charged their pikes the enemy forsooke the place and fled and Timasian with his horse which were not many in number killed as many as he could So the left wing of the enemy vpon which the Grecian horsmen followed was quickly dispersed but the right being not so muâ—h pressed in the chase stood still vpon a hill Whom when the Grecians saw remaining in the field they thought they might safely charge them and without all danger Singing therefore the Paean they aduanced against them But the enemy presently tooke themselues to their feet The Peltasts gaue chase till that wing was also scattered Few of them were slaine because of the multitude of the enemies horse who put the Peltasts in feare of following too farre The horsemen of Pharâ—abaziâ— stood yet vnited together to whom the Bithynian horsemen gathered and from a hill beheld what was done in the field Which when the Grecians saw albeit they were sore trauelled
whether there be any good in them to serue our purposes Duties extend to Guards Ministeries Workes and to those things whereof I haue intreated at large For Guards wee haue some shew and that not ill digested Yet doe I beleeue that in time past there haue beene better or safer as the Stations before the gates of the campe the Guard-tallies the continuall Round the relieuing of Guards the differences and diuâ—sion of houres and such like which an industrious Generall may marke and put in practise Ministeries are either out of date amongst vs or else voluntarie and without law Yet who can deny but that such like may with comelinesse be vsed towards the Coronels and Commanders without vexation of the Souldiers being parted amongst them by turnes But Workes are the chiefe and most profitable yea the most necessarie part not only for victorie but also for safetie And yet why is entrenching of the Campe altogether cast off Wee set downe open and without any certaine order and when we will seeme more circumspect we inclose our selues with our carriage both an inuention and terme Barbarous But see me the Roman Campe so formed so quartered out how beautifull is it in sight apt for vse strong against all incursion and force of the enemy How many of our owne and stranger-armies haue beene cut in peeces or put to flight by carelesnesse herein And euen of late those gallant Christian forces at the Donaw whom the most cruell enemy surprised on the sudden Say I beseech you if the Roman Campe and Guards had beene there would this haue happened But they like not or rather are ashamed to be Labourers Should a Souldier put his hand to the Spade It is an ignominy Away hire them that list to fall to such drudgerie These be their words But whose You would thinke them of the blood Royall at the least or else men of great riches Yet looke vpon them you shall perceiue them most abiect of all other whom Need and Despaire haue compelled to seruice My fellow art thou ashamed to doe that which many excellent men yea Senators haue done This pettie conceit wherewith they couer their sloth will packe away with one onely warning or Proclamation of a Prince No man will hold that reproachfull which shall be done in common which shall be done by the better sort and sometimes by commanders themâ—elues for example sake Polybius commeth to my minde who writeth that a man is counted Most wise of all liuing creatures but hee esteemeth him most foolish Because other things if they once offend take heed The Fox will hardly bee brought againe to the snare nor the Woolfe to the piâ—-fall nor the Dog to the staffe Onely man from age to age doth faile almost in the same things Let mee apply this to vs and our affaires What profit is more apparant than of these Workes What more common in Writings and Bookes Yet wee neglect them and had rather cast away our selues than our opinions And concerning Workes how profitable are they without the Campe being the only meanes and remedie neuer deceiuing against great Ordinance and to make your approches without perill to any Citie Workes are of wonderfull effect to blocke vp Townes to defend your selfe in them against the enemy and with Workes you may performe that which otherwise is not to bee done with great Bands of men They haue likewise their place in the battell either to fortifie your selfe suddenly on any side against the enemy or to traine and draw him on or else to make an orderly retreat You shall reade that trenches were cast by Sylla against the sudden circumuention of Mithridates huge Armie and infinite multitude of Horse And that the like was done by Caesar vpon another reason and occasion What need words The effect will proue the saying of Domitius Corbulo true that An enemy is to be ouercome with the spade that is with Workes Would God we had mindes to trie and to lead the Souldier hither by little and little and that one would not be faultie herein by the example of another The second thing in Discipline is Exercise That also is neglected of vs. Where are our Field-teachers Where is our daily meditation of Armes And when no man professeth an Art which he hath not learned men thinke they perfect in warre alone as soone as they come to it The Drum is strucke they runne together their names are entred in the muster-booke they disguise themselues in apparell they looke grim vpon the matter they play the Ruffians and bouse it out in drinke streight way they are become Souldiers Are these things to be laughed at or pitied Goe goe you that be wise to our forefathers and by their example fashion your Souldiers in all manner and kinds of Armes For neither the length of age as Vegetius saith nor number of yeeres doe teach the Art of Warre but continuall meditation of exercise An vnexercised Souldier is alwaies raw though he haue serued neuer so long The Lawes are last Come hither my Commanders shew me your Lawes that I may match them with the Roman Lawes Why are you so silent Haue you none or few Those that you haue are they voide and without effect Truly this is our life Lust ruleth in stead of Law and the Sword challengeth the place of Right Who at this day punisheth Theft Who Rapes Nay who Murther For Whoredome and Adulterie are now counted braue exploites and worthy to be rewarded with a Crowne If I speake of abstinence and frugalitie in Diet I shall be scorned with the tongue out of swearing or periurie I shall be thrust out of dores by the head and shoulders Shamefastnesse and honour whither are you gone How are you banished from the most part of our Europe-seruice I protest againe my complaint and accusation is not against the good I write against you you spots and wems of noble Mars which make the warres a refuge and sanctuarie for your villanies I haue sufficiently declared that the Romans held another course There Iustice Chastitie and Innocencie dwelt in Campe and their Souldiers were in no place fierce and violent but against the enemie I rip not vp those things which I a while agoe spake of But truly they are such as albeit many will debase in speech yet can they not but extoll them in minde And yet who is so haire-braind that dares controll them They doe not so but say that those times are gone that this age requires other manners O good and sweet conceites As though men were other now then they were wont or another reason gouerned and that which is iust not iust in all ages and so that which is vniust The matter is they are hardly laid vnto being enioined to abstinence from outrage and vices to turne their hands against Enemies not Citizens to reserue their strength for Mars not for Venus in summe not to consume their entertainment or pay in
was day there came Fugitiues from the great Kings Campe and brought newes to Cyrus touching the Armie of the King Cyrus calling together the chiefe Commanders and the Captaines of the Grecians consulted with them how he might best order his Armie for fight and admonished and incouraged them in these words I made choice of you ô Grecians to be my Companions in Armes not because I wanted or might not haue had plentie of Barbarians but I chose you for that I esteemed you better and more to be valued than many multitudes of Barbarians Shew your selues therefore men worthy of the libertie you enioy in respect whereof I hold you also happie For I would haue you know that I prise libertie aboue all things I possesse and aboue many more of greater worth than those I possesse But to the end you may vnderstand what fight you are at this present to vndergoe I will in few words declare it vnto you The number of the enemie is great and they charge with a great cry Endure the first and I am ashamed of the rest and am likewise ashamed what manner of men you shall finde the Inhabitants of these Countreys to be And in case you shew your selues men and be couragious and valiant whosoeuer desireth to returne to his home I will so send him away that at his returne his fellow Citizens shall haue cause to enuie his good hap But I thinke so to vse the matter that many shall rather chuse to remaine and take such part as I shall haue than to returne home to their Countreys Hereupon Gaulites a Fugitiue of Samos but faithfull to Cyrus replied There are ô Cyrus that say you make large promises by reason of the perill at hand but in case the successe be good you will forget all Other some that although you remember and would you cannot performe what you promise Cyrus hearing these things answered My Fathers Kingdome stretcheth toward the South so farre that for heat no man is able to inhabit toward the North that no man can inhabit for cold the middlemost parts are vnder the gouernment of my Brothers friends If we get the victorie I can doe no lesse than establish you my friends in the possession of them So that I feare not if my iourney prosper not to haue enough wherewith to pleasure euerie one of my friends but I feare rather I shall not haue friends enow to pleasure But to you ô Grecians to euerie one of you I will giue ouer and aboue my promise a Crowne of Gold They that heard these things were much more forward than before and related them to the rest Many both of the chiefest Commanders and also some other of the Grecians went in to Cyrus demanding what should be their reward in case they won the day whom Cyrus sent away full of good hopes About that time Clearchus asked Cyrus Doe you thinke Cyrus your Brother will hazard a battell If quoth Cyrus he be the Sonne of Daerius and Parisatis and my Brother I shall neuer obtaine the things I seeke for without fight Here the Grecians being in Armes were numbred to be 10400 Armed and 2400 Targetiers the Barbarians with Cyrus 10 Myriades Sythed Chariots about 20. The enemie was said to be 120 Myriades and about 200 Sythed Chariots Besides there were 6000 Horse vnder the leading of Artagerses they were ranged before the King There were foure Rulers or Generals or Leaders of the Kings Armie of whom euerie one had 30 Myriades vnder his charge to wit Abrocomas Tissaphernes Gobryas and Arbaces But of this number there were no more then 90 Myriades present in the battell and 150 Sythed Chariots For Abrocomas although he posted with all speed out of Phoenicia came fiue daies after the battell The Fugitiues from the Kings Armie brought this information to Cyrus before the battell and those of the enemie that were intercepted after the battel confirmed the same From hence Cyrus in one encamping marched 3 Parasangs his whole Armie both Grecians Barbarians being in battell array for he thought the king would haue fought that day because at the end of this halfe daies iourney he found a deepe Trench cast the bredth whereof was fiue Fathomes the depth three Fathomes The trench ran vp into the Countrie 12 Parasangs thorow the Plain euen as far as the wall of Media where the Channels begin that are deriued out of the Riuer Tygris being in number foure each of them 100 Foot in bredth and verie deepe so that Ships of burthen doe saile in them They fall into Euphrates euerie one distant a Parasang from other and euerie one hauing a Bridge laid ouer it of the bredth of 20 Foot A narrow way was betwixt the Riuer Euphrates and this Trench The great King caused this Trench to be cast for a Fortification assoone as he heard that Cyrus was on foot Cyrus and his Armie passed ouer this narrow way and were come within the Trench The great King ioined not battell this day but many Tracts of men and beasts that retired might hereabouts be euidently perceiued Vpon the same day Cyrus calling to him Silanus the Diuiner of Ambracia gaue him 3000 Daricks because 11 daies before offering Sacrifice he told him that the King would not fight within ten daies If he fight not within ten daies quoth Cyrus he will neuer fight but if thy saying proue true I promise to giue thee 10 Talents and he gaue him that gold then because the ten daies were past Now seeing the King did not hinder the passage of Cyrus his Armie ouer that Trench Cyrus and the rest were strongly perswaded that he determined not to fight which was the cause that Cyrus had not so great care of his march the next day and he aduanced the third day after sitting in his Chariot and the most of his Armie marched confusedly and many of the Souldiers Armes were put vpon the Waines vpon the cariage beasts Now it was the time the Market was full and the place of encamping where they should quarter was at hand when Patagyas a Persian one of the faithfullest of Cyrus his Traine was seene to come vpon the spur his Horse dropping with sweat crying out in the Persian and Greeke Language that the King was hard by with an huge Armie readie and prepared for fight This newes made a great confusion and as well the Grecians as all the rest imagined they should be charged in this disorder Cyrus leaping from his Chariot put on his Curace and getting on Hors-back tooke his Darts in his hand and commanded the rest to Arme and euerie man to take his place Then with great diligence they ordered themselues Clearchus in the point of the right Wing by the Riuer Euphrates Proxenus next vnto him and the other after Proxenus Menon and his Regiment had the point of the left Wing of the Grecian battell Of the Barbarians about 1000 Paphlagonian Hors-men stood
him than any one man of that age whatsoeuer All these he distributed especially amongst his friends hauing consideration of euery mans manner of life and of their need The things that were sent him for ornament of his bodie or else foâ— warre or for other trimmings and beautifyings of these he is reported to haue said that his owne body could not vse them all and that his opinon was that friends well adorned were a mans greatest ornament But it is no maruell that being of greater ability he ouercame his friends in kindnesse This rather seemeth a maruell that he went beyond them in care to gratifie and doe them good For Cyrus oftentimes when he happened vpon extraordinary pleasant wine would send them flaggons with this message Cyrus hath not tasted more pleasant wine a long time he hath therfore sent this to you and desireth you to day to drinke it out with those that you loue best Oftentimes also he sent halfe geese and halfe loaues and such like willing the messenger to say the taste of these pleased Cyrus and therefore he would haue you also to taste them If at any time there were small store of fodder it was easie to him to furnish himselfe by reason of the multitude and diligence of his seruants Being then so furnished he vsed to â—end part vnto his friends and willed them to giue that fodder to the beasts vpon which they rid lest they might suffer hunger after they had trauelled in carrying his friends If he iournied any whither in the sight of many he would call his friends to him and finde talke with them of purpose that it might appeare who they were that he honoured Out of which I may truely coniecture that no man was beloued of more either Grecians or Barbarians than hee Let this also be a testimony hereof that no man sought to flye from Cyrus who was but a seruant vnto the King that was Master of all except only Orâ—â—â—es who also found the man whom he thought his sure friend more friend to Cyrus than to himselfe but many after the enmitie brake out betwixt the two Brothers yea some whom the King loued best left him and came to Cyrus beleeuing the rewad of Vertue was greater with Cyrus than with the King That he was both good himselfe and could giue true iudgement who were faithfull louing and constant it is a great argument that chanced at the end of his life For when he died all his friends and such as were partakers of his Table died fighting ouer his body sauing onely Ariaeus he was Commander of the Horse on the left Wing and when he perceiued that Cyrus was fallen fled with the whole Troopes vnder his command There the head and right hand of Cyrus were cut off But the King and his folke following the chace chanced vpon the Campe of Cyrus The Troopes of Ariaeus made stand no where but fled out of the Campe to the place where they last before quartered The way thither was accounted foure Parasangs in distance But the King and his Armie spoiled both other things and tooke Cyrus his Phocean Concubine called the Wise and Beautifull For the Milesian younger in yeeres than the other being in hand to the Kings people escaped away naked to the Grecians that stood armed by the Baggage who hauing put themselues in order for fight flew many of the Spoilers though some of them also were slaine Notwithstanding they fled not but saued hir and saued all whatsoeuer both goodâ— men that were within their custodie Here the King and the Grecians were 30 Furlongs asunder thâ—se last giuing chace to those enemies that stood against them as if they had been Conquerors of the whole Armie enemie the other rifling the Campe of the Grecians as if their whole Armie had gained the victorie But when the Grecians vnderstood that the King and his Armie were amongst their Baggage and the King heard by Tissaphernes that the Grecians had ouercome those that were opposite against them and that they proceeded forward giuing chace he gathered together his dispersed Troopes and put them in order of battell And Clearchus calling to him Proxenus for he was the next vnto him consulted whether it were better to send away some few or whether with their whole Forces they should go to succor the Campe. In the meane time the King appeared againe aduancing forward as it seemed vpon the reare of the Grecians the Grecians wheeling about their battell prepared themselues to march on and to receiue the Kings charge that way But the King aduanced not but as before he passed by without the left Wing so he returned backe againe the same way taking with him those that fled to the Grecians during the time of sight as also Tissaphernes and his Troopes for Tissaphernes fled not in the first encounter but gaue vpon the Grecian Targetiers by the Riuer side yet killed he no man in giuing on for the Grecians opening their battell speedily left a passage for Tissaphernes striking and darting at him and his as they passed thorow Episthenes the Amphipolitan was Captaine of the Targetiers esteemed a man of good direction therefore Tissaphernes departed as hauing the worst and making toward the Grecian Campe met the King there and both ioining againe their Forces aduanced forward After they were now come as far as the left Wing of the Grecians the Grecians feared the enemie would charge their Wing and so wrapping in their battell on both sides cut it in peeces They therefore thought fit to draw out that Wing in length and to apply and set their backes against the Riuer Whilest they were in this consultation the King changing the forme he was in ordered his Phalange against them as at first aduancing as though he meant to charge And the Grecians seeing the enemie at hand and ordered for fight began the Paean againe and moued forward with much more alacritie than in the first fight The Barbarians receiued them not but fled with greater speed than before They followed the chace vnto a certaine Village where they made Alt. For aboue the Village was a hill vpon the which the Kings Forces were rallied and stood with their faces toward vs being no Foot but Horse alone and so many as couered the hill A man could not see what was to be done some said they discerned the Kings Standard a golden eagle with her wings displaied as on a little Target fixed to the end of a long woodden staffe When the Grecians aduanced thither also the Horse forsooke the Hill not in Troopes but dispersedly some scattering here some there in the end all vanished away Clearchus therefore ascended not the hill himselfe but making Alt with the Armie at the foot of the hill sent Lucius the Syracusian and another willing them to get vp the hill and to discouer and make report to him of that they saw Lucius galloped vp the hill and after
Proxenus and Cyrus at Sardes who were now readie to take their iourney vpward and was forthwith presented to Cyrus Proxenus earnestly requested him to stay and Cyrus did the like but added that as soone as the Armie was dissolued he would immediately giue him leaue to depart The iourney was noised abroad to be against the Pisidians Xenophon therefore followed the warre being thus deceiued not by Proxenus for neither he nor any other of the Grecians except Clearchus knew of Cyrus his intent against the King but when the Armie came into Cilicia there was no man so simple but he easily perceiued that they were led against the King And albeit they feared the length of the way and were vnwilling to proceed further yet the most part in regard of mutuall respect one to another and of the loue they bore to Cyrus continued on the iourney amongst whom Xenophon was one And being now in this distresse he was sorrowfull with the rest but yet taking a little nap he fell into a dreame It seemed to him that in a thunder the bolt fell vpon his Fathers House and that the whole House was therewith set on fire Being affrighted he started out of his sleepe iudging that the dreame was good in part because being in trauell and danger he saw a great light proceed from Iupiter In part he feared it because it seemed to come from Iupiter being a King and to shine in a circle imagining he should not be able to get out of the Kings Countrey but be inuironed on all sides with some one distresse or other Now what the signification and effect of such a dreame was might be easily perceiued by the sequell For it fell out that straight after that he awaked he entred into this cogitation with himselfe Why lie I here The night passeth away and it is likely that the enemie will fall vpon vs as soone as the day appeareth If we come into the Kings hands what shall hinder that hauing first seene with our eyes all manner of scornes and next felt all kinde of torments we die not afterwards a shamefull and villanous death Now no man maketh preparation for defence nor so much as once thinketh vpon it but we lie still as though we were in securitie What Commander therefore doe I expect out of any other Citie to direct vs Or what age doe I looke to attaine vnto If to day I betray my selfe to the enemie I shall neuer be an houre elder Hereupon he presently arose and first called together the Captaines of Proxenus his Regiment Then he spake thus Worthy Captaines the consideration of our estate will neither â—uffer me to sleep which I thinke is youâ— case as well as mine nor yet to lie still and giue my selfe to rest Our enemies vntill they imagined they had brought their designes to a wished end forbore to offer open hostilitie Of vs on the other side there is no man that casteth in his minde how we may best come to fight and defend our selues against the enemie For if we yeeld and subiect our selues vnto the Kings power what hazard shall we not incur He cut off the head and hand of Cyrus and fastened them to the Gallowes who was his Brother both by the same Father and Mother and alreadie dead We then who haue here no kinred who tooke vp armes against him who sought to establish his seruant in his Throne and to make away the King himselfe if it lay in our power we I say what may not we expect to suffer Will he not vse all meanes possible to lay vpon vs extremitie of punishment thereby to strike a feare into other that they presume not to warre against him Surely we are to trie our vttermost endeuours that we fall not into his hands For my part I ceased not euen while the truce endured to bemoane our case and to esteeme the King and such as followed him happie seeing with mine eyes how large and goodly a countrey they enioyed what plentie of prouision what a number of attendants how many carriage-beasts what quantitie of gold and of apparell they possessed and on the contrary side comparing the condition of our army that enioyed nothing of value but what was bought with mony which I knew but few had was debarred of other means of prouision by reason of their oath and agreement Casting I say these things in my minde I feared then the truce more than I doe now the warre And considering the enemy himselfe hath broken the truce I thinke that both their insolencie and our suspitions are come to an end For now all the aduantages whereof I spake are laid in the middest as it were betwixt vs both as rewards for those that shall behaue themselues most valiantly The gods are Iudges and giue successe to battells who in all reason will be on our side Our enemies in forswearing themselues haue broken their faith vnto them We contrariwise hauing many faire aduantages offered vs constantly forbore to take them for our oathes sake made to the gods So that me thinkes we ought to goe forth to battell with much more courage and assurance than they Further our bodies are more able to endure cold and heat and labours than theirs and by the fauour of the gods our mindes more noble Besides they will be more subiect to wounds and death than we in case the gods as they haue done heretofore vouchsafe to giue vs victory But it may be that other men harbour these cogitations as well as we For the loue of God let vs not expect that other come and encourage vs to be braue and resolute but let vs begin to excite other to valiance Shew your selues gallantest amongst Captaines and most fit to command amongst Coronels My selfe if you shall be pleased to leade me will follow if you appoint me a leader will not excuse my selfe by want of yeares but rather conceiue that youth may strengthen and preserue me from many mischances Thus much he spake All the Captaines hearing it willed him to proceed except one Apollonides a man that clattered rudely in the Boeotian idiome He said they spake idlely that sought to perswade that there was any other hope of safetie than in the Kings fauour if it might be gained and withall began to reckon vp the distresses we were in Xenophon in the meane time interrupting him replied O strange man that you are who neither seeing know nor hearing remember You were present when the King proud of his victory after the death of Cyrus sent vnto vs commanding to deliuer vp our armes When we refused and marched forward in armes and encamped close by him what did he not to procure truce sending Ambassadours and demanding cessation of hostilitie and offering to furnish the army with prouision But after the Coronels and Captaines as you now would haue vs in confidence of the truce went without armes to conferre with them are they not now
if any tumult arise a Persian must saddle and bridle and put on his Curace and so get vpon his Horse All which are hard to be done in the night especially in a tumult When the Grecians perceiued that the enemy purposed to depart and had giuen open notice thereof they proclaimed in the hearing of the enemy that the army should make readie to march The Barbarians hereupon staid awhile but the night beginning to draw on they went their waies For they hold it not expedient to march and come to their quarter by night After the Grecians saw plainly that they were departed they also trussing vp their baggage began to march and iourneied sixtie furlongs and the space between the armies was so great that neither the next nor the third day the enemy could come vp to vs. The fourth day the Barbarians aduancing forward by night seised vpon a high place by which the Grecians must passe of necessitie namely vpon a mountaine vnder which the way lay which led into Champeigne When Cherisophus saw the height of the mountaine possessed by the enemy he called for Xenophon from the Reare willing him to bring his Targetiers with him and come to the Front Xenophon brought not the Targetiers with him for he saw Tissaphernes and his whole Armie appeare at their backes but himselfe speeding came and asked Cherisophus why he sent for him You may see quoth he The hill hanging ouer our way is before hand taken by the enemy and we cannot continue our march vnlesse he be beaten from thence But why brought you not your Targetiers with you Because I thought it not good quoth he to leaue the Reare vnguarded especially the enemy being in sight But it is time quoth Cherisophus to aduise how we shall driue these folks from the hill Here Xenophon marked that the top of the mountaine was ouer the head of our Armie and that from thence a way led to the hill where the enemy stood and said Me thinks Cherisophus it should be best for vs with all speed to gaine the top of the mountaine which if we once haue they cannot keepe their ground ouer the way I will goe if you please to stay with the Armie if you please to goe I will stay here I giue you the choice quoth Cherisophus And I because I am the younger quoth Xenophon will choose to goe Onely he required that he might haue Souldiers of the Front to accompanie him for it was too long to wait for any from the Reare Cherisophus sent with him the Targetiers of the Front and those that were in the middle of the hollow square battell he willed also the chosen 300 men which he had about him in the Front to follow Xenophon Then they hasted all they could to get vp the Mountaine The enemie vpon the Hill perceiuing that their intent and proceeding was to possesse the height of the Mountaine began in emulation forthwith to post thither There was a great cry in the Grecian Armie a great cry in the Armie of Tissaphernes each inciting and animating those of their owne side Xenophon riding from one to another exhorted the Souldiers Now Companions you striue for Greece now for your wiues and children now taking a little paines we shall cleere the rest of our iourney from fight Soteridas the Sicyonian answered You and I Xenophon stand not vpon like termes of marching You ride I am on foot by reason of the weight of this Target haue much adoe to get vp the Hill Xenophon hearing this alighted from his Horse and taking from him his Target thrust him out of his Ranke and marched on with all speed possible He had on at that time a hors-mans Curasse wâ—erwith he was heauily laden yet proceeding he exhorted the formost to mend their pace and those in the Reare who had much adoe to march to hasten after The other Souldiers beat and threw at reuiled Soteridas till they compelled him to take his Target againe and to march on Xenophon mounting againe to Horse rid as farre as the ground would giue him leaue When it began to be rough and not passable for a Horse he hasted forward on foot By this time they had gained the top and preuented the enemie who vpon sight thereof forsooke their ground and fled euerie man as he could The Grecians made good the top Then the Armie of Tissaphernes and Ariaeus departing diuerted another way but Cherisophus descending into the Plain quartered in a Village that had plentie of good prouision in it In this Plaine were many other rich Villages situate by the Riuer Tygris When it was now night the enemie suddenly shewed himselfe in the Pâ—aine and cut in peeces some Grecians that were dispersed here and there â—unting after prey For many Herds of Cattell transported ouer the Riuer were here intercepted Tissaphernes and they that were with him diâ— all they could to fire the villages and many of the Grecians were mucâ— discomforted therewith conceiuing they should hardly recouer victuall if the villages were thus burnt and destroied Cherisophus had sent out some of his people to succour their companions against the enemy who returned as Xenophon descended from the Mountaine With these Xenophon meeting rid from ranke to ranke said You see fellow Souldiers that the enemy confesseth the Country is none of theirs For in the truce they capitulated with vs to preserue the Kings Country from burning now they burne it themselues as if it were not their owne But doe what they list if they haue victuall for themselues in any part they shall soone see vs there for our portions But Cherisophus quoth he me thinkes we should doe well to giue aid as to our owne Country against these burners I am not of that aduice quoth Cherisophus but rather I would burne for company to make them the sooner giue ouer When they came to the campe the rest busied themselues about prouision the Coronels and Captaines assembled together in counsell Here was disputing aduising what to doe On the one side were high Mountaines on the other a riuer so deep that the water couered the ends of Pikes wherewith the bottome was sounded While they were in consultation a Rhodian came vnto them and said I will vndertake to carie you ouer by 4000 at once if you furnish me with such things as I want giue me a Talent for reward Being asked what things he wanted I want said he 2000 water-budgets and I see here many Sheepe Goats Kine and Asses whose skins being flead and blowen will easily giue vs meanes of transportation I shall need also the bands which you vse about your cariage-beasts With these I will binde your water-budgets and fit them one to another and hang stones vpon them and let them downe like ankers laying them vpon the water and fastening them on both sides I wil throw Rise vpon them then earth and that
notwithstanding they thought it conuenient to seeke them as they could lest haply taking heart they might be againe emboldned Therefore embattelling themselues they led against them The enemy seeing them comming cast themselues downe the steepe places no otherwise than if horsemen had followed them in chase A Forrest receiued them that fled which the Grecians were not acquainted with Wherefore night drawing on they returned and when they came to the place where the battels first ioyned they erected a Trophey and so about Sunne-set retired to the Sea for the Campe was about 60 furlongs off Henceforward the enemies began to looke to themselues and remoued as farre from thence as they could as well the inhabitants as their goods and substance The Grecians lay still expecting Cleander and the Gallies and Ships which they thought would come And going forth euery day without feare hauing with them their cariage-beasts and slaues they brought in wheat barley wine pulse-corne bucke and figs. For the Territorie bare all fruit plentifully Oliues only excepted And as long as the Armie kept within the Campe any man might goe forth to spoile and deteine that he found for his priuate vse But a decree was made that when the whole Armie went abroad whatsoeuer was taken by any man going apart it should be to the vse of the generalitie Now was there plenty of all things For prouision came from the â—recian Cities on euery hand and they that arriued there by ship came willingly on shore because they vnderstood a Citie was there planting and that it was a good Hauen and many of the enemies being neere borderers sent to Xenophon for they heard that he was the planter demanding vpon what conditions they might be receiued into his friendship whom Xenophon shewed to the Souldiers About this time Cleander came with two Gallies but with neuer a ship It fell out so that at his arriuall the Army was abroad and some gone into the plaine countrey to prey other to the mountaines and had gotten together many sheepe and fearing they would be taken away they spake to Dexippus who stole the ship of 50 oâ—res from the Armie when it lay at Trapezond and praied him to keep them and to retaine part for himselfe and restore the rest to them He presently beat away the Souldiers that stood thereabout albeit they told him that the prey pertained to the generality and imâ—ediaâ—ly went to Cleander and informed him that they sought to steale the sheepe Cleander commanded that whosoeuer he was that went about to take them away should be brought vnto him Dexippus laid hold vpon one and began to leade him toward Cleander whom Agasias by chance comming that way rescued because he was one of his company The rest of the Souldiers that were present cast stones at Dexippus calling him Traitor Many Mariners of the Gallies being affrighted ranne to the Sea and Cleander himselfe shifted away Xenophon and the other Coronels pacified the Souldiers and told Cleander it was no matter of danger and that the decree of the Armie was cause of that that hapned Cleander incensed by Dexippus and of himselfe discontented because it might be perceiued that he was in feare said he would saile away and cause proclamation to be made that no Grecian Citie should receiue them as being common enemies to all for at that time the Lacedemonians commanded all Greece This seemed a hard and dangerous thing to the Grecians and they desired him not to doe so He said he would relent vpon no other condition than that the caster of the first stone and the party that made the rescous should be deliuered into his hands Agasias was the man he sought who had beene a friend to Xenophon euen to the last which was the cause that Dexippus accused him The Commanders knowing not what to doe called an assembly of the Armie Many made small account of Cleander Xenophon thought the businesse to be of no meane consequence and arising spake thus Fellow Souldiers if Cleander departing hence carry that minde toward vs which hee professeth I take it to be a matter not to be contemned For now the Grecian Cities are at hand and the Lacedemonians are rulers of Greece and euery Lacedemonian of power sufficient to worke any City to what he list If therefore he first shut vs out of Byzantium and signifie to the rest of the Gouernours not to receiue vs into their Cities as being disobedient to the Lacedemonians and notto be gouerned this rumor will come to the eares of Anaxibius the Admirall so that it will be hard for vs either to stay here or to saile away For at this time the Lacedemonians haue the Souereigntie of Greece both by Sea and Land It is not fit therefore that for one or two mens sakes we the rest be debarred from Greece but we are rather to obey whatsoeuer they command For our Cities from whence euery one of vs is are vnder their subiection I therefore for I vnderstand that Dexippus informeth Cleander that Agasias would not haue done this vnlesse I had bid him I I say cleare both you and Agasias of this fault if Agasias will say that I am the cause thereof and I condemne my selfe and will willingly vndergoe all extremitie of punishment if it may appeare that I were the beginner either of casting of stones or of any other violence I say further if any man else be accused by Cleander he ought whosoeuer he be to yeeld himselfe to Cleanders iudgement So shall you be free from all fault But as matters goe now it will be hard if thinking to receiue praise and honour in Greece we in stead thereof shall not be in the case that other are but be excluded out of all Grecian Cities After this Agasias stood vp and said I ô Souldiers sweare by the gods and goddesses that neither Xenophon nor any other willed mee to take away the man but when I saw an honest and worthy Souldier of mine led away by Dexippus whose traiterous dealing toward you you well know I thought it a matter not to be suffered And albeit I confesse that I rescued him yet would I not that you should deliuer me vp I my selfe as Xenophon aduiseth will yeeld my selfe into the hands of Cleander to vse me at his discretion Neither would I for this cause haue you make warre with the Lacedemonians nor haue any man impeached to saue himselfe where he list Only I desire you to make choice of some of your selues to send with me to Cleander who in case I omit any thing may speake and doe what they thinke auaileable in my behalfe The Army gaue him leaue to choose whom he thought good and he chose the Coronels So Agasias and the Coronels and the man that was rescued went together toward Cleander to whom the Coronels vsed this speech The Army O Cleander hath sent vs vnto you and desire you if you thinke
them to flight This weapon was heauy and powerfull whereof euery Souldier carried a couple so that they might very well put the horse to retreat with defence of their great Targets or else with threatning the point as I conceiue of the other Dart especially being knit together shoulder to shoulder and close This I am sure of that the Roman battell was seldome broken by the impression of the horsemen only which is commonly seene at this day What will you say not by the Parthians Yes But marke that I spake of impression The Parthians did for the most pâ—rt ouerwhelme the Romans with their arrowes afarre off and neuer came to the shock Therefore they ouerthrew them not but by little and little wounded and wasted them by comming on and retiring after their manner The same would befall our Pikemen through the enemies shot were they not answered with like weapons and with horsemen Wherefore I thus resolue concerning Pikes that they were not necessarie for the Romans and yet are profitable for vs and so would be although we should take vp the Roman armour in part I haue seene some that would haue them mingled and would haue maniples armed partly with Swords and Targets partly with Pikes Let Commanders and men of experience consider thereof The fourth thing is Embattailing which if I should account perfect and sound at all hands in the Roman manner of raunging Reason would be on my side In the Front were the Hastati the weakest next after them the Principes more strong then the Triarij strongest of all that the enemy might be weakned and spent by degrees The horsemen were placed on the Flanks to saue the Battell from enuironing and encompassing and if the enemies horse charged the Romans front then were the Roman horse to giue on their flanke I need not repeat many things I haue discoursed before But this is of greatest marke and a principall matter for victorie that the Battalions haue their spaces and intervals and the Velites in them or before them So that the Statarie Souldier serueth the Velites for retreat that they may without danger entertaine or forsake the skirmish at their pleasure Goe to say the whole Band of the Velites is defeated and of no vse what inconuenience is it The Ranks stand entire and the Velites being wisely kept vnmixt and diuided from them the Statarie Souldier thinketh not that hee hath lost any thing by the ouerthrow of the Velites Therefore they enter the fight fresh and whole and nothing impaired in body or minde and to be short with assurednesse and certainty of retreat into the intervals Consider you Commanders this is a great secret that your Souldier be bold and confident fight with hope of victorie being compelled retreats without feare of ignominie or danger So was it amongst the Romans by reason of their triple battell of their Hastati Principes and Triarij which last vndertooke the maine danger with assurance of their owne strength There were the Commanders there the Standard there the old Souldier and in summe there was Victory because Valour was there Packe away you Turks with your Ianizars which vsurpe a manner of resemblance but a false resemblance of the ancient discipline If it were a true one we had not now beene For I rest out of doubt of this if the ancient were ioyned to these our new-found Armes and withall the true marshalling of Bands and kinde of embattailing vsed the old and new World would shortly be subiect to one man O secret truly heauenly which men rather ghesse at than vnderstand and which gouernest this world with a wonderfull temper bridlest or aduancest the wicked and liftest vp or throwest downe the good euen as they depart from or come to thee I display not my wings neerer to this Sunne lest I melt or be consumed but I cry with a fâ—ee voice Hee that will attaine to Glory or Empire let him turne to the ancient Discipline For surely if our light Souldiers so I call shot were mixt betweene the Maniples and before the Maniples of the armed with intervals and distances for retreat and that against the horse and armed foot what battell durst assaile nay what battell could resist vs For in regard hereof our men should be alwaies fit to charge fit to retire for a second charge All which notwithstanding is to be done with long vse and exercise lest they trouble vs in the doing I call you to witnesse you Commanders that I speake truth Imitate it then in good faith but against them that oppugne the Faith There are many things in particular concerning ordering of Battels whereof we might giue a taste but precepts wee cannot now giue and these depend vpon a wit truly martiall that is fiery and high He that can let him conceiue he that cannot let him yeeld and be beaten Thus much I admonish that herein may be found out a large field of Stratagems and that no other meanes hath gained more victories or trophees Whatsoeuer is vnlooked for troubleth the enemy prouided that it disorder not thy owne Let that be a certaine and infallible rule For euery small inuention is not by and by to be embraced or of efficacie but only such a one as is squared out by circumspection and heed He ought to be an Argus that is a Commander and to haue eyes in his backe forhead head and feet And yet all things are easie to be ordered where this common good order hath his being Giue mee Cohorts giue mee Maniples so placed one to second another so ordered so wonted to ioyne or disioyne I will alwayes vndertake to haue the body of a battaile in readinesse such as your selfe or occasion require Discipline is the last Alas of what should I make comparison Would I could finde any colour or shew to begin But howsoeuer the ancient Discipline be esteemed at this day there is none at all and so those that haue beene Souldiers will confesse O shame ô dishonour The Barbarians and Scithians goe beyond vs herein and haue some ordinances we none What should I then compare Should I praise or exhort men to the Roman discipline It is not only good but the best of all that haue beene that shall be giuen from heauen for an example Let wise men meet and sit in councell they cannot in conceit in writing comprehend a fuller a better Exhort I then to the vse thereof As our men and manners are I dare not It is enough if in generall I induce any forme of Discipline without which there can be not only no perfection or successe but scarcely any name of seruice Other are robberies which men exercise without law right or measure I would be loth to call ours by that name neither indeed ought I the cause being good but in good sooth wee touch not the line of the other I haue made three parts of Discipline Duties Exercise and Lawes They are seuerally to bee considered and
cause of long marches Carmanda Boats for a shift Seditious Souldiers put all in danger 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Coronels marâ—hed by turnes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cyrus stilleth the contention 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A faire pretence of a traitor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The manner of proceeding in iudgement against Orontes His condemnation His execution 45 Mile 15 a day Ordering of the battell The largenesse of the Persian Kingdome Cyrus foot were 112800. a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 b Euery Myriade is 10000. The kingâ— foot 900000. A Fathome containeth two yards The order of Cyrus his battel The place of the Commanders Of the battell of Grecians Light armed of the Grecians Ariaeus is afterward called General of the Horse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The order of the Persians The arming of the Aegyptians A Plesium Battalions The place of the Chariots See my Notes vpon the 11 ch of Aelian Plutarch accounteth this a fault in Clearchus in vita Artaxerxis Remedy against ouer-winging The Word A Militarie Song Alexander gaue direction to his souldiers to doe the like The victorie of the Grecians Cyrus warinesse in his good successe The place of the K. of Persia in a battell Horse in front An error in too â—arnest pursuit Cyrus his valor The death of Cyrus The praise of Cyrus His childhood The K. of Persiaes Gate His keeping of his word His thankfulnesse Strictnesse in punishment His esteeme of Souldiers Loue kindnesse to his seruants To his friends The loue that all men bore to Cyrus 15 Miles The Greâ—ian Caâ—pe taken by the King Three Mile three quarters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tissaphernes chargeth the Grecians Remedy against encompassing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Grecians return to their Campe. Cyrus his prouision for the Grecians For Demaratus see Herodot lib. 6.175 Pausaniâ—s in Laconicis l. 3.171.30 Ariaeus his message to the Grecians A countrey of Asia the lesse Clearchus his answer Firing to dresse their meat The kings message to the Grâ—cians Answer of the Grecians Reply of Phalinus Xenophon Clearchus his answer The aduice of Phalinus The doubtfull answer of Clearchus 2000. Miles and aboue 382 Miles and a quarter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ariaeus his counsell for the way of their return A Panicall fear amongst the Graecians The King maketh an ouerture of Truce The Grecians accept the Truce The diligence and sufficiency of Clearchus in his command Palme nuts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A dissembling speech of Tissaphernes The answer of the Grecians The conclusion of truce with the conditions annexed The assuraÌ„ce of truce Ariaeus practised to returne to the Kings obeysance Suspition of the Grecians Clearchus confident in the truce Ariaeus ioyneth with the Kings Forces Three miles three quarters The Wall of Media The height 33. yards The bredth 6. yards and more The length 75 miles or thereabout .30 Miles 15 mile a day Draineâ— of Tygris Sitaca A mile three quarters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ariaeus his message A practice of the Barbarians A true coniecture about the message A Bridge vpon Ships 75 miles euery day 18 more Fyscus a Riuer Opis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The army must take vp fiue mile in length being 10000 and betwixt euerie ranke six foot 112 miles euerie day 18 and more 75 miles euery day 15. Caenae a Citie Zabatus a riuer 400. footbroad Distrusts betwixt the Grecians and the Barbarians Conference betwixt Tissaphernes and Clearchus The speech of Clearchus Tissaphernes answer Tiara was an attire that the Persians wore on their heads Clearhus ouer-reached by the cunning of Tissaphernes Fiue Coronels The Coronels taken prisoners by Tissaphernes False pretences of a foule action The falsenesse discouered A description of Clearchus his naturall disposition The Island in Thrace bordering vpon Hellespont A towne lying vpon the same Sea The narrow Sea beside Constantinople Lacedemon His diligence His skill Seueritie Ambition Proxenus His industry being young His ends Modestie Remisnesse Menon His desire of wealth Impudencie Deceitfulnesse Calumniation Impudicitie Death About 1250 mile The distressed estate of the Grecians Xenophon Inuited to serue Cyrus Soâ—rates his counsell to Xâ—nophâ—n To the Oracle of Apollo Mispropounding his question Xenophons griefe His dreame His discourse in minde His resolution His speech to the Captaines of his owne Regiment Apollonides a harsh counseller Assembly of the army 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ierome the Eleans speech Xenophons speech Taxiarchs are the Captaines of the light armed Lochagi the Captaines of the armedfoot Cherisophus New Coronels 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cherisophus his exhortation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cleanor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Xenophon The superstition of the Gentiles A warlike song which they vsed when they went to charge the enemie Braue exploits of ancestors a great incitement to valour Darius the Father of Xerxes sent his Generall Datis with a great Armie which was ouerthrowne by the Athenians at Marathon The Persians were slaine to the number of 6300. Herodotus lib. 6. But Iustin reporteth that there were slaine 200000. Herodotus lib. 7. A man is neerest to himself Experience of an enemie Horse in the field Scarcitie of prouision Passage of Riuers Seating in a strange countrey A goldeÌ„ bridge is to be made for an enemy to runne away See Diod. Sicul. l. 1.21 and the Lexicon in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the tree and fruit see Pliny l. 13. c. 17. pag. 234. The fruit is so pleasant that they that taste it are loth to retâ—rn to their owne countâ—y Vnnecessarie cariage Care of the Commâ—nders 〈◊〉 of Souldiers A square hollow battell fit for a march when it is feared the enemy will charge round about 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Commanders of the Front flanks reare Mithridates fained speech He discouers himselfe by accident Messengers from the enemie Zathe a riuer Order of march in an open country Faire words turned into a storme of hostilitie An errour of Xenophon Aduantage of missiue weapons Necessity mother of inuention The Rhodian slings Means to procure readinesse to serue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A vaine promise vpon an vnsure ground A â—ile Omnia repentina terrenâ— Larissa a Citie Bredth 8 yards one 25. part Height 33 yards one 100 part Circumference miles seuen a half 6 yards 2 foot 200 yards 400 yards 22 mile and a halfe Mesphila a city 16 yards three 50 parts 33 yards c. 22 miles and a halfe 15 miles Tissaphernes with horse Horse against the reare and flanks of the Plesium at once It is like they were heauier than the arrowes of the Cretans 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is to be vnderstood that these new CoÌ„panies were led euery one in file and being ioyned together they made sixe files If then the breach in the Plaesium were small they inserted the sixe files rank-wile to make it vp if wider they