hauing won many strong places in the Plaine they doe at this day enioy the fruits of the Kings country And I would thinke it fitting that we also should make no semblance of returning home but so demeane our selues as though our purpose were to inhabite here For I know the King would giue the Mysians many guides and many hostages for assurance of their departure and would open them a way yea if need were send them away in Chariots The like I assure my selfe he would doe to vs most willingly if he perceiued we prepared our selues to seat here But I feare in case we once learne to liue idlely and in plentie of all things and grow into acquaintance with the faire and tall wiues and virgins of the Medes and Persians left after the manner of the Lotophages we forget the way homeward to our owne countrey Wherefore it seemeth vnto mee fit and reasonable that we endeuour first to returne into Greece to see our kindred and acquaintance and to shew the Grecians that they willingly are poore considering they may if they please send the needier sort of their Citizens hither where they may abound in all manner of riches and plentie For whatsoeuer is good in the land it will be theirs that win the victory Now I will declare vnto you how wee shall march with most securitie and how if need be make our strongest fight And first I hold it necessarie to burne our Wagons that our cariages be not our masters and that we may haue full libertie to march where it is fittest for the Armie Then to burne our Tents which it will be troublesome to carie them and they profit nothing either to fight or for prouision Besides to leaue behind vs our vnnecessarie stuffe and to take with vs only such as for warre or for meat or drinke we stand in need of to the end that most of vs be in Armes and as few as may be busie themselues with vnnecessarie cariage For you know that they which are ouercome leaue all they haue to the spoile of others being Conquerors you must esteeme the enemies to be your cariers and purueiors It remaineth to speake of that which I take to be of most importance For you see that the enemie durst not make open warre against vs till they had laid hold vpon our Coronels imagining that so long as we had Coronels and were obedient vnto them we were able enough to goe thorow stich with the warre After they had gotten our Coronels into their hands they thought they might easily ouerthrow vs through default of command and of order It behoueth therefore the Commanders that now are to be more carefull than the former Commanders and the Souldiers to be more orderly and obedient than before And in case any man oâ—ey not if you decree that whosoeuer is present with the Commander shall haue authoritie to chaâ—tise him the enemie will be much deceiued in his hopes For they shall see in stead of one Clearchus ten thousand who will giue no man leaue to play the coward But it is high time to make an end For it may be the enemie will presently be here Whatsoeuer then of these things you shall allow let it be dispatched out of hand If any other man albeit but a priuate Souldier conceiue of a better course let him speake For we all in common stand in need of safetie Then said Cherisophus If ought else be needfull besides the things that Xenophon hath mentioned it may be done hereafter Those things he hath spoken of it seemeth fit they should be decreed All that are of the same opinion let them hold vp their hands They all held vp tâ—eir hands Then Xenophon standing vp againe proceeded further and said Fellow Souldiers heare now what in mine opinion you are to expect It is cleere that we are to march thither where we may finde prouision I heare there are good and plentifull Villages not aboue twentie Furlongs hence I will not therefore maruaile as fearfull Dogs are wont to follow and bite if they can such as passe by and to run away from those that turne again vpon them if the enemy do the like pursuing our Reare But then I hold that our march will be the safer if we cast our selues into a Plesium that the baggage loose multitude may be conueied in more securitie If now therefore it be agreed vpon who shall leade the Plesium and order the Front who the Flankes who the Reare we shall not be driuen to consult when the enemie approcheth but only execute that which is concluded If any man can aduise vs better let vs giue eare to him if not let Cherisophus haue the leading because he is a Lacedemonian two of the eldest Coronels command the Flankes I and Timasion as the youngest be in the Reare And from hence forward after we haue made triall of this forme we will vpon all occasions take counsell what is best to be done If any man can direct vs better he hath libertie to speake When no man spake against the motion he said They that allow of that which is propounded hold vp their hands So it was decreed Now quoth he you are to depart and put the decree in execution And whosoeuer he be amongst you that desireth to see his kinsmen and friends let him remember to shew himselfe a man of valour For otherwise there is no hope thereof and he that desireth life let him endeuour to ouercome The Conquerors haue power to slay the conquered are to expect nought else but death And if he couet riches victorie must be the meanes to obtaine them They that are Masters of the Field are Masters of their owne and of their fortunes also whom they subdue Assoone as these things were spoken all arose and departing set fire on the Carts and Tents and on the things that might wel be spared Some they parted with their friends the rest they burned and so went to break-fast Whilest they were at break-fast came Mithridates with about thirtie Horses and called out the Coronels to parley He spake thus I ô Grecians was as you know faithfull vnto Cyrus as long as he liued and now am a well-willer of yours and therefore cannot but remaine in great perplexitie If then I could see you tooke any safe course I would come vnto you my selfe and bring my followers with me Tell me then I pray what your purpose is as to one that is your friend and wisheth you well and resolued to proceed with you in the same iourney The Coronels consulting together resolued vpon this answer and Cherisophus deliuered it Our purpose is if we be not impeached to returne home and to passe thorow your Country endammaging it as little as may be and if any man hinder vs to open the way with our Swords Mithridates sought to perswade that without the Kings will and pleasure it was impossible to depart in safetie
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
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
giue chace toward the Gates of the Citadell For they threw downe mightie Timber logs from aboue and made it vnsafe either to stand still or goe off and the night approching brought terror with it Fighting in this sort and irresolued what to doe some God gaue a meanes of safetie For suddainly a House on the right hand it was vnknowne by whose kindling burst out into a flame The House no sooner fell but the enemies that were gotten vp to the Houses on the right hand shifted away When Xenophon saw this worke of Fortune he commanded the Houses on the left hand to be likewise fired which being made of Wood caught fire quickly whereby the enemie forsooke the Houses on that side also and the Armie was annoied only by those in Front who doubtlesse were like to fall vpon the Reare in their retreat and departure Here Xenophon gaue order that all who were without the reach of missiue weapons should bring Wood and lay it betwixt the enemie and them and when the store was sufficient it was set on fire The Houses were also fired that stood next the Rampier of the Towne ditch that the enemie might be busied on all sides So by the helpe of fire betwixt the enemie and them they made a hard retreat With this fire were consumed the whole Citie the Houses Turrets Rampier and all things else except the Citadell The next day the Grecians hauing gained sufficient prouision retired toward their Campe but because they feared the way that led toward Trapezond as being steepe and narrow they laid a false ambush There was in the Campe a Mysian by nation and name who taking vnto him foure or fiue Cretans remained in a wooddy plat of ground making semblance to the enemie as though he meant to hide himselfe Their Targets being of Brasse cast glimmering light here and there thorow the Wood which the enemie descrying feared as much as if it had been a true ambush In the meane time the Armie was descended into good ground and the Mysian thinking they had now gained way enough gaue the word to his companions euerie man to shift away amaine and immediatly he his consorts fled The Cretans forsaking the ordinarie way for they said the enemie might out-run them and take them prisoners and conueying themselues into Woods and tumbling downe thorow steepe and rough Forrests came safe to the Armie but the Mysian flying in the ordinarie way cried out for succour He was rescued brought away wounded and the Souldiers that rescued him retired by little and little casting Darts hauing also amongst them a few Cretans who shot at the enemie So they came all safe to the Campe. When neither Cherisophus returned and no more prouision was to be found for the Campe they decreed to proceed on their iourney and put on ship-board the sicke and those that were aboue fortie yeeres of age and children and women and vessels vnnecessary for the iourney and shipping likewise Philesius and Sophonetus the eldest of the Coronels they committed the charge of all to them The rest went on by Land The way was prepared and made plaine and euen and in three daies march they reached as farre as Cerasunt a Grecian Citie standing vpon the Sea being a Colonie of the Sinopeans situate in the Colchian Countrey Here they remained ten dayes and tooke a muster of Armes and of the number of their people and found 8600 men So many were left of the 10000 or thereabouts that ascended with Cyrus into Persia the rest were consumed by the enemies hand and by Snow and some by sicknesse Here also they diuided the money that arose out of the sale of Captiues and the Coronels tooke into their hands the tenth part which was seuered as an offering to be made to Apollo and Diana of Ephesus euerie one keeping and preseruing a share for the gods Neon the Asinean was appointed to receiue the portion which should haue been deliuered to Cherisophus Xenophon therefore making readie the offering for Apollo bestowed and hallowed it in the treasurie of the Athenians at Delphos and inscribed thereon both his owne name and the name of Proxenus the Baeotian who was put to death with Clearchus For Proxenus was Xenophons Host. The offring for Diana of Ephesus because himselfe was like to incurre hazard at such time as he departed out of Asia toward Baeotia with Agesilaâ—s he left with Megabyzus Dianaes Priest and willed him in case himselfe escaped the danger to make restitution to his owne hands if he miscaried to consecrate it to Diana and bestow it in such sort as in his opinion should be most acceptable to the goddesse But afâ—erward when Xenophon was banished his country and dwelled now at Scylunt which Towne was built by the Lacedemonians neere to Olympia Megabyzus came to Olympia to see the Games and restored to Xenophon the money left in his custodie and Xenophon receiuing it bought a portion of Land for the goddesse in a place designed by Apollo thorow which the Riuer Sellenus runneth At Ephesus also there runneth a Riuer Sellenus hard by Dianaes Temple and either of these Riuers nourisheth both other fish fish with shels But in the Scyluntine portion of Land there are beasts of all sorts fit to be hunted He built a temple also and an altar with the consecrated mony and from thenceforth gathering alwaies the tenth of the fruits growing on the land he offered sacrifice to Diana and all the Citizens and neere-dwellers as well men as women are partakers of the feast The goddesse alloweth them that come meale bread wine and iunkets and a portion of the flesh of those beasts which are either taken from the consecrated ground and sacrificed or else killed in hunting The sonnes of Xenophoâ— and of other Citizens exercise the hunting against the time of the feast and other men also hunt with them such as are desirous of the sport There are taken partly out of the Holy-land partly out of Phaloe wilde Boares Goats and Red-deere The place lieth in the way as you goe from Lacedemon to Olympia distant about twentie Furlongs from the Temple of Olympian Iupiter There are in the consecrated ground groues and mountaines stored with trees sufficient to nourish hogs and goats and sheepe and horses so that the carriage-beasts of such as come to the feast are largely prouided for About the Temple it selfe there is a groue of fruit-trees of all kindes that are fit to be eaten after they wax ripe The Temple it selfe as much as a little one may resemble a great is like to the Ephesian Temple and the Image made of Cypres like to the golden Image at Ephesus By the Temple is a pillar erected inscribed with these words The ground consecrated to Diana He that hath the possession and vse of it let him pay the tenth of euery yeares increase and with the ouer-plus repaire and maintaine
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
Whereby wee vnderstood there was no great trust to be reposed in him Besides it was obserued that one of Tissaphernes his familiar friends was in his Traine to see what was done And thereupon it seemed good to the Coronels to make a Decree that hereafter no Messenger should be admitted from the Enemie as long as wee were in the Countrey For with their entercourse they corrupted the Souldiers and corrupted one Captaine to wit Nicharchus an Arcadian who in the night time fled to the enemie with about twentie men When breakfast was ended passing the riuer Zathe we marched in good order hauing placed the cariage and loose multitude in the middest of the battaile We had not marched far before Mithridates appeared againe with 200 horse and 400 archers and slingers which were very nimble and light He as a friend came close vp to the Grecians Being neere some of his horse and foot began vpon the sudden to shoot other to sling and so wound the Grecians The reare of the Grecians were faine to endure all yet could not annoy the enemy For the Cretan bowe carieth not so farre as the Persian and the Cretan archers wearing no armes of defence were glad to hide themselues within the body of the armed and the darters were not able to reach the slingers of the enemy Xenophoâ— therefore hauing the reare thought good to aduance and follow the enemy and thereupon fell out with the armed and targetiers of the reare but could not lay hand vpon any of them For the Grecians had no horsemen and their foot in so short a race could not ouertake the foot of the enemy which had the start so farre before and it was not safe to giue chase farre from the body of the Phalange Besides the barbarian horsmen as they fled shot backward from their horse and wounded many that gaue chase And as farre as the Grecians aduanced so farre must they afterward retire still maintaining the fight so that the whole day they marched not aboue 25 furlongs and yet by Sunne-set they came to the villages There againe were they much discomforted and Cherisopus and the eldest Coronels blamed Xenophon in that he pursued the enemie so farre from the Phalange and put himselfe in danger and yet no whit endangered the enemy Xenophon hearing it said that they reprehended him not without cause and that the action it selfe testified with them But I was forced quoth he to doe as I did For I saw that standing still we were sore distressed and not able reciprocally to offend the enemy And when we fell out it was as you say For giuing chase we little hurt them and yet retired with great difficultie The gods be thanked therefore that I went not out with many but with a few So that I did no great harme and yet haue found out that which we stand in need of For now we see by triall that the enemy shoots and slingeth further than either the Cretans or our Darters can reach and when wee fall out after them wee may not goe farre from the Phalange If but a little way let the Souldiers be neuer so nimble he shall neuer be able to come vp to a foot-man that is distant from him as farre as a bowe can shoot If therefore we will debarre them from annoying vs in our iourney we must quickly prouide slingers and horse I heare there are Rhodians in our Campe of whom the most part are reported to haue skill in slinging and that their slings reach twice as farre as the Persian slings For the Persians vse stones that fill the hand and therefore sling not farre the Rhodians leaden bullets If therefore we inquire which of them haue slings and reward them and deliuer to other money to make new slings and besides grant to them that will serue in that kinde some other immunities it may be we shall finde amongst them that will be for our purpose Besides I seâ— horse in the Campe some of mine owne some left by Clearchus and many that haue beene taken from the enemy and are now become cariage-beasts If we make choice amongst these and giue the owners cariage-beasts in exchange and distribute the horse to horsemen peraduenture they also will trouble these runners These things were decreed and the same night 200 slingers and the next day 50 horsemen were furnished out to whom were giuen cassocks and curaces and Lucius the sonne of Polystratus an Athenian was appointed their Captaine The Grecians taking their rest that day and rising more early the next marched forward They were to passe a valley in which they feared the enemy would charge them and being now gotten to the other side of it Mithridates appeared againe leading with him 1000 horse and 4000 archers and slingers For being insolent because in the former incounter he with a few came off without harme and yet as he imagined very much annoyed the Grecians he required and had so many of Tissaphernes promising if he obtained them to deliuer the Grecians into his hands The Grecians were past the valley 8 furlongs or thereabout when Mithridates passed likewise with his forces The Targetiers and armed of the Grecians that were to fall out were before hand appointed and the horsemen had charge giuen them not to be afraid in following the chase because a sufficient number of foot was to second and attend them By this time Mithridates waâ— come vp to the Grecians and the Persian slings and bowes bestowed their flying weapons thicke amongst them when a signe was giuen by trumpet and immediatly the chosen foot sprung out together and likewise the horse vpon the spurre The enemy endured not the charge but speeded all he could into the valley In this chase many of the Barbarian foot died and about 18 horse were taken aliue in the valley The Grecians without commandement mangled and dismembred the dead carcases that the sight hereof might henceforward strike a greater feare into the enemie After this conflict the enemie retired and the Grecians marching on the rest of the day securely came to the riuer Tygris vpon which stood a great desolate city the name whereof was Larissa The Medians inhabited it of old time The walls were 25 foot broad and a hundred foot high and the circuit of all two Parasangs It was builded of bricke and the foundation of stone laid beneath the wall was 20 foot deepe The King of Persia when the Persians gained the Empire besieging and assaulting it could not winne it by any meanes But the Sunne hiding his head in a cloud appeared not till the inhabitants forsooke it and so it was taken Neere to the Citie there is a Stone-Pyramis the bredth whereof is 600 foot the height 1200 into which many Barbarians conueighed themselues out of the neighbour-villages From hence in one encamping they marched six Parasangs as far as a great desolate castle hard by
you shall not sinke you will easily perceiue in that euerie budget will be able to beare vp two men and the Rise earth wil keepe the budgets from tottering and make them lie firme stable When the Coronels heard this the inuention seemed witty but the thing it selfe not possible to be performed by reason there were many hors-men on the other side of the riuer who would hinder the formost not suffer them to proceed in their worke Therefore they retired the next day in the way they came which led to Babylon to the vnburnt villages setting afire the villages where they last quartered so that the enemie offered not to charge but became lookers on wondring what way the Grecians meant to take what their purpose was The Coronels captaines assembled again calling together the captiues enquired of the countries round about what they were of their nature qualitie They reported that toward the South the way led to Babylon to Media and was the way by which they came toward the East to Susa Ecbatana where the king was said to passe the summer spring ouer the riuer to Lydia and Ionia ouer the mountaines towards the north to the Carduchans who they said inhabited the mountaines were a warlike people and refused to obey the king and that the king somtimes sent against them an army of 12 Myriades of men of whom none escaped returned back by reason of the roughnesse of the countrie that since the Satrapa or ruler of the next Prouince made truce with them they had free entercourse of trade one with another The Coronels hearing this set apart by themselues those that tooke vpon them seuerall knowledge of these things not declaring what way they meant to hold But their resolution was to passe ouer the mountaines against the Carduchans For the captiues said after they were come beyond the mountaines they should enter into Armenia a large and rich countrey of which Orontes was ruler and from thence finde the way open readie to goe whither a man would This conclusion being had they sacrificed to the gods that they might haue no impeachment when it was fit to set forward for they feared the tops of the mountaines might be anticipated and commanded assoone as supper was past that euerie man should haue his things in a readinesse and giue himselfe to rest and after follow in the iourney according to direction Finis Libri Tertij THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF XENOPHON TOVCHING THE Ascent of CYRVS the younger out of Asia the Lesse into the Higher COVNTREYS WHat happened in the Ascent of Cyrus till the battell and what after the battell in the truce which the King and the Grecians that ascended with Cyrus had concluded and after that the King and Tissaphernes had broken the truce what warre was made vpon the Grecians an Armie of Persians still pursuing them is alreadie discoursed Now when they had proceeded thus farre and found that the Riuer Tygris was vnpassable by reason of his depth and greatnesse and that there was no other way to follow because the Carduchan Mountaines being abruptly steepe lay directly hanging ouer the same Riuer It seemed good to the Coronels to continue their march ouer those Mountaines For they vnderstood by the Captiues that after they had once trauersed the Carduchan Mountaines they might passe ouer the Fountaines of Tygris in Armenia if they list if not they might fetch a compasse about them and the Fountaines of Euphrates were said to be not farre off from the Fountaines of Tygris and that there were some straights in the way Therefore they marched toward the Carduchans partly in hope to steale away vnespied partly to preuent the enemie in case he went about to seise vpon the tops of the Mountaines and stop their march It was now about the last watch and so much night left as would giue space to passe ouer the Plaine The Grecians euen then rising and vpon a signe beginning their march came by breake of day to the Mountaines foot Cherisophus led the Vaunt taking with him his accustomed Troopes and all the light Armed Xenophon and the Reare-Commanders brought vp the Reare with the Armed alone hauing neuer a light-armed man with them For it seemed the reare was without danger to be charged in the ascent Cherisophus attained the top of the hill before any enemy perceiued it and he leading on the rest of the armie followed towards the villages which were situate in the vallies and windings of the mountaines The Carduchans forsaking their houses and taking with them their wiues and children fled to the mountaines Great plentie of prouision was found here and the houses garnished with many brasen vessels which the Grecians left vntouched Besides they gaue chace to none of the Carduchans of purpose to see if they might gaine a friendly passage thorow the Countrey especially seeing both the Carduchans and Grecians were enemies to the King Yet being in necessitie they spared not the prouision which euery man fortuned to finde The Carduchans albeit kindly entreated would neither heare of parley nor yet shewed any other token of friendship Whilest the reare of the Grecians descended from the height of the mountaines to the villages it being now darke for by reason of the straitnesse of the way the whole day was spent in ascending the hill and descending to the villages some of the Carduchans albeit but a few for the Grecians fell vpon them at vnawares gathering together charged the Grecians and killed some of them and hurt other some with stones and arrowes and if many of them had beene assembled they had no question cut off the most part of the army That night therefore they lodged thus in the villages The Carduchans on the other side lighted many fires in a circle on the mountaines and so they looked one vpon another By day breake the Coronels and Captaines of the Grecians came to counsell and decreed that the carriage-beasts necessary and such as were best able to endure the hardnesse of the way should be led on by their owners the rest left behinde and that the slaues lately taken and remaining in the army should all be cast off For the carriage and captiues being many made the march very slow and cumbersome And many of them that rode were such as fought not and the multitude of people being great double prouision and carriage was requisite in comparison of that they should otherwise haue needed These things being so decreed proclamation was made for the execution Hauing dined they marched forward and the Coronels staying in a straight of the way wheresoeuer they found any of these things not cast off tooke it away The Souldiers were very obedient vnlesse any man being in loue with a boy or a woman of the fearest fashion conueied them away by stealth And so for that day they proceeded
in their march one while fighting and another while giuing themselues to rest The next day fell a sharpe storme and yet a necessitie was laid vpon vs to continue our march because our prouision failed Cherisophus led the Vaunt Xenophon brought vp the Reare and the enemy pressed vs sore and the Countrey being full of straights they came vp close and plied vs wirh arrowes and stones out of slings so that the Grecians sometimes giuing chace sometimes retiring were forced to march on slowly It fell out often that Xenophon sent word to that Vaunt to stay especially at that time being roundly put to by the enemy Cherisophus that at other times vpon the receit of such messages made vsually Alt made not Alt then but led away apace and commanded the rest to follow So that it appeared there was some great occasion and yet there was no leisure to send and know the cause The march seemed to the bringers vp to be a plaine running and there was then slaine Cleonymus a braue and valiant Lacedemonian being strucken into the side with an arrow thorow his target and Souldiers coat and Basius an Arcadian pierced in the head When they were come to their quarter Xenophon attired as he was stepped forthwith to Cherisophus and blamed him he made not Alt whereby he forced them in the Reare to fight in their flight and now quoth hee we haue lost two gallant and worthy Souldiers and were neither able to bring them off nor yet to bury them Cherisophus answered Looke vp quoth he to those mountaines and behold how vnpassable they are There is no way but that steepe one you see and vpon it you may discerne the huge multitude which haue taken and doe guard the passage The cause of my speeding and not staying for you was to trie if by any meanes I might preuent their seising vpon the height For the guides affirme there is no other way but this But I haue two guides quoth Xenophon For when they ceased not to molest vs I laid an ambush whereby both we found way to breathe and also killed some of them and some other wee endeuoured to take aliue for this cause especially that we might vse such as knew the Countrey for guides and immediately bringing forth the men they examined them apart whether they knew any other way than that which was in sight One of them albeit he were diuersly put in feare would not confesse When they could get nothing out of him that was to purpose they slew him the other looking on Hee that remained aliue said that his Companion would confesse nothing because he had bestowed a daughter of his in mariage to a man dwelling thereabout But I said he will teach you a way thorow which the very carriage may easily passe Being demanded If that way had no impediment or incumbrance he answered There was a top of a hill which vnlesse it were possessed it would be impossible to proceed further Hereupon it was thought good to call for the Captaines of the Targetiers and of the armed Foot and to impart vnto them the estate of the present affaires and to aske if any would shew himselfe a gallant and willingly vndertake the iourney There offered their seruice Aristonimus an Arcadian of Methydria and Agasias another Arcadian of Stymphaly Callimachus a Parrhasian Arcadian and this Agasias were alwaies at emulation and stroue one with another in all imploiments He offered himselfe vpon condition he might be permitted to take with him the voluntaries of the whole army For I know quoth he that many of the youth will follow if I haue the leading Then they asked if any of the light-armed or Taxiarchs would beare the armed Company Aristarchus the Chian a worthy man and one that in the like case had often heretofore done good seruice to the army presented himselfe It was now late and the Souldiers were commanded to sup and presently to march away The guide was deliuered bound vnto them and order giuen that if they tooke the top of the hill they should make good the place that night and as soone as it was day giue a signe with the trumpet and descend and charge the forestallers of the knowne way and the rest of the army beneath ascend and ioine with them in as great speed as was possible This order being taken there marched out to the number of two thousand In the meane time fell much raine Xenophon hauing with him the Reare-commanders led toward the knowne passage to the end the enemy might be intentiue vpon that way and those that were appointed to take the top might the better passe by vnespied When the Reare was come to a hollow bottome thorow which they must needs passe ere they came to ascend the steepe hill the Barbarians tumbled downe round stones of which euery one was of weight sufficient to load a waggon and many other great and little stones which rolling and beating vpon the rockes came bouncing with such force as if they had beene sent out of a sling and made it impossible to come neere the way Some of the Captaines seeing that way shut vp sought to finde another This continued till it was darke The Grecians when they imagined that their departure could not be discerned went hence to supper For the Reare had not dined that day The enemy ceased not the whole night to send downe stones which might easily appeare by the continuall sound and noise of the fall In the meane time those that had the guide fetching a compasse fell vpon the enemies guards as they sat by the fire and killing some and giuing chace to the rest themselues maintained the place that night as if they had gained the top But they were deceiued for there remained yet a little knop aboue them neere which the straight it selfe was where the enemies guards did sit There was indeed a passage from thence that led to the enemy That night therefore they spent there As soone as day appeared they aduanced silently and in good order against the enemy They were neere before they could be descried because of a mist that fell at the same instant When they saw one another the trumpet sounded and the Grecians giuing a shout aduanced against the enemy who receiued not the charge but forsaking the way and flying lost some few of their people For they were light-armed The rest of the army with Cherisophus hearing the sound of the trumpet made all haste to ascend by the common way Some of the Coronels tooke by-pathes euery one as it came to hand and climbing as they could drew one another vp by the pikes and so they were the first that ioyned with them that had won the top Xenophon with halfe the Reare followed the way that the guide had showne to the first for it was the easiest for the carriage-beasts the other halfe he ordered after the carriage-beasts Marching
forward they chanced vpon a hill hanging ouer the way which was held by the enemy by reason whereof they were driuen to a necessitie either by force to dislodge the enemy from the place and cut him off or else to be secluded from the rest of the army The souldiers might haue followed the way that the rest held so haue freed themselues from danger but the carriage could be led no other way Exhorting therefore one another they charged vp the hill ordering their Companies euery one in File not incompassing the enemy but giuing them roome to flie if they were so disposed The Barbarians seeing them ascend each one as he could make shift for himselfe did neither shoot nor sling at them as they approched the way but presently forsooke the Hill This Hill the Grecians tooke and seeing another before them held likewise by the enemie they resolued to goe against that also Notwithstanding Xenophon reputing in his minde that if he should leaue the Hill alreadie gained without a Guard the enemie seising againe vpon it might distresse the cariage in passing by for the cariage by reason of the straights were extended into a great length he left vpon the Hill the Captaines Cephisodorus the Sonne of Kephisophon an Athenian and Archagoras a banished Argiue himselfe with the rest continued his march against the second Hill which also was taken after the same manner There remained yet another Hill more steepe than the two former euen the same that the night before was by the first ascenders won from the enemies Guards that sat by the fire to which when the Grecians approched the Barbarians forsooke it without fight which made the Grecians wonder and imagine they feared to be round encompassed and charged on all sides but the truth was that descrying from the top what was done behinde they hasted away to fall vpon the Reare Xenophon and the youngest sort of Souldiers had gotten vp the Hill and he commanded the rest to follow till the last Captaines were come vp and then he willed them to march forward in the way and when they came to euen ground to lay downe their Armes At this instant came Archagoras the banished Argiue and brought newes that they whom Xenophon left behinde were beaten from the first Hill and that Cephisodorus Amphicrates and as many other as leaped not from the Rocke and saued themselues amongst the rest of the Reare were slaine The Barbarians hauing wrought this feat conueied themselues toward the Hill opposite against the top where Xenophon was and he by an Interpreter treated with them about truce and about recouering the dead bodies out of their hands They answered they were readie to deliuer them vpon condition the Villages might be spared from fire to which Xenophon accorded In the time while this parley was in hand the rest of the Armie passed by and were freed from danger of the place The enemie staied there and when the Grecians began to descend from the top to the place where the formost had laid downe their Armes they in great number and tumult ran vpward and hauing gained the height from whence Xenophon descended rolled downe stones and broke a leg of one of the Souldiers Xenophons Target-bearer was then away with his target which Eurylochus the Arcadian borne at Lusium a heauy armed Souldier perceiuing came running vnto him and retiring by little and little protected both himselfe and Xenophon with his Target So they all came vp to the vant which stood in order of battell Now were all the Grecians come together and they quartered in many faire houses hauing large prouiâ—ion and plentie of all things There was much Wine kept in Cisternes plaistered with morter Afterward Xenophon and Cherisophus so wrought with the Barbarians that they recouered the bodies of the dead in exchange for the Guide whom they deliuered vp and they buried them with as great honour as was possible to be giuen to worthy and valiant Souldiers The next day we marched on without a Guide The enemie fighting with vs and taking the straights which lay in our way endeuoured to hinder and shut vp our march But when they opposed against the Vant Xenophon from the Reare ascending the Mountaines and gaining the vpper ground remoued all the impediments the enemie could cast vpon the way when against the Reare Cherisophus ascending tooke the vpper ground likewise and freed the way for them that came behinde So they alwaies succoured and had mutuall care one of another Sometimes also the Barbarians after the Grecians had got vp to the heights annoied them spightfully in their descent They were light-Armed and comming close vp they might easily shift away at their pleasure because they caried no other furniture then Bowes and Arrowes and Slings They were excellent Archers and had Bowes well nigh three Cubits Arrowes more than two Cubits long When they shot they drew the string applying their hand somewhat toward the nether end of the Bowe and â—etting their left foot forward With their Arrowes they pierced both Curaces and Targets The Grecians putting thongues to the middest of them sent them backe againe at the enemies in stead of Darts The Cretans were verie vse-full in these places Stratocles the Cretan was their Commander They quartered that day in the Villages which lay vpon the Plaine neere the Riuer Centrites the bredth whereof is 200 Foot and this Riuer parteth Armenia and the Carduchans Countrey Here the Grecians rested The Riuer is distant from the Carduchan Mountaines about some six or seuen Furlongs They quartered here with great pleasure both in regard of the plentie of all things which they found and also because they gladly remembred their trauell ouergone For in seuen whole daies in which they marched thorow the Carduchans Countrey they were put to continuall fight and suffered more distresse than whatsoeuer the King and Tissaphernes could worke them Being therefore freed from that danger they slept and tooke their rest with great content Assoone as it was day they might discerne beyond the Riuer Armed horse that seemed readie to hinder their passage and Foot-men ordered vpon the bankes aboue the Horse to stop their entry into Armenia These were Armenians Mygdonians and Chaldeans Mercenaries to Orontes and Artuchus The Chaldeans were said to be a free Nation and warlike Their Armes were long wicker Targets and Speares The banks vpon which they were embattelled were distant some three or foure Plethers from the Riuer and no way ouer but one could be discerned which led vp to the higher ground and seemed to be made with hand The Grecians sought to passe that way But making triall and finding the water to reach vp aboue their breasts and the Riuer rough with many great and slipperie stones and perceiuing that they could not hold their Armes in the Riuer which by reason of the swiftnesse and violence of the streame would
force them out of their hands and in case a man caried them on his head he should remaine naked against the enemies missiue weapons they returned and encamped neere the Riuer The place where they rested the night before they might easily see to be full of Armed Carduchans It caused great melancholy amongst them both because they saw the hard passage of the Riuer and the enemie opposing against their passage and also the Carduchans prest to fall vpon their Reare Remaining therefore in great anguish of spirit this day and the night following they spent in the place Xenophon is the meane time dreamed that he was bound in fetters and that they broke and fell off of their owne accord so that being loose he was at libertie to goe where he list Earely in the morning he went to Cherisophus and told him he hoped all should be well and communicated his dreame with him who was much delighted therewith and as day appeared all the Coronels assembled and offered sacrifice and at the verie first the sacrifice promised good successe and the Coronels and Captaines departing to their quarters commanded the Souldiers to dine Whilest Xenophon was at dinner there came running vnto him two young men for euerie man knew they might haue free accesse vnto him both at dinner and supper and that they might in sleepe awake him and impart any thing that should seeme to tend to the good of the march and told him they chanced to be a gathering sticks for firing and that amongst the Rocks on the other side the Riuer they espied an old man and a woman and young maids laying vp as it were bundles of Clothes tied together in a hollow Caue of the Rocke Which when they saw and conceiued withall there was no danger in the passage considering the enemies Horse could not by any meanes come there they pulled off their Clothes and taking their drawne Daggers in their hands they entred into the Riuer in purpose to swim ouer if they could not otherwise passe But going on they found themselues ouer before they had wet their priuities so that taking with them the garments which were hidden they returned and came safe to this side back againe Xenophon hearing this dranke a health and commanded the Cup should be filled to the two young men and to pray to the gods who had reuealed the dreame and passage to finish the remnant of all that should appertaine to the good of the iourney Assoone as the health was ended he led the young men to Cherisophus and declared vnto him the newes which they brought Who hearing these things drunke also a health after which commanding the Souldiers to trusse vp their baggage and calling the Coronels together they aduised about the best meanes of passage and of repulsing them that opposed the Front and of auoiding the danger of those that were like to fall vpon the Reare The resolution was that Cherisophus should leade the Vant passe ouer first with halfe the Armie the other halfe should remaine behinde with Xenophon and the cariage and vnarmed multitude should be conueied in the middest When these things were thus determined they began to march The young men led the way hauing the riuer on their left hand The way which tended to the Foord was about foure Furlongs in length As they marched forward on one side the enemies Hors-men embattelled marched against them on the other After they were come to the Foord and bancks of the riuer they laid downe their armes and first Cherisophus crowning himselfe and stripping off his apparel tooke vp his armes and commanded the rest to do the like and directed the Captaines euery one to cast their companies into a file to march some on his right some on his left hand The South saier offered sacrifice at the riuers side and the enemy albeit they plied vs with bowes slings yet could they not reach ouer vnto vs. The sacrifice was faire the Grecians sang the Paean gaue a shout The women also shouted for there were many whores in the campe So Cherisophus passed ouer and they with him Then Xenophon taking to him the lightest of the Reare ran back againe with all speed to the passage which led to the Ascent of the Armenian Mountaines making countenance as if he meant to passe ouer there cut betwixt the horse that guarded the banks the rest of their companions But the enemy seeing Cherisophus his forces easily wade thorow the Riuer and Xenophon with his Souldiers speedily returning backe fearing to be shut in betwixt both fled as fast as they could from the riuer to the way that led vpward as soone as they came there held on toward the mountaine Lucius that commanded the horse Aeschines that led the targetiers about Cherisophus when they saw them so cowardly run followed hard and gaue chace The Souldiers cried out to them not to giue ouer but to ascend the mountaine together with the enemy After Cherisophus had gained the passage he followed not the horse but presently vpon the bankes side led against the foot that held the higher places who being aboue on the higher ground and seeing their horse flying and the armed Grecians making head against them forsooke also their ground by the riuers side When Xenophon perceiued now all things on the other side of the riuer to be in good plight he returned speedily to the forces that were passing ouer For the Carduchans were seene by this time to descend the mountaines and to come into the Plaine as though they purposed to charge the Reare By this time had Cherisophus taken the higher ground and Lucius following the chace with a few won the carriages of the Reare of the enemy and withall rich apparell and much plate The carriage and vnarmed multitude of the Grecians passed ouer the riuer with all diligence And Xenophon turning toward the Carduchans opposed his armed against them and directed his Captaines euery one to order his Companie into Enomoties and to face to the left hand and to lead vp and to ioyne the Enomoties together in front and that the Captaines and Enomotarchs should make head against the Carduchans the bringers vp be behinde next to the riuer The Carduchans when they saw the Reare left by the vnarmed multitude and making shew but of few singing certaine songs after their countrey manner fell on and charged In the meane time Cherisophus hauing set his owne affaires in safetie sent the Peltasts and Slingers and Archers ouer to Xenophon willing them to doe what he commanded When Xenophon perceiued they passed the riuer hee dispatched a message to stay them where they were till they saw him and his troopes enter into the water and then to meet him on both sides and make as though they purposed to returne ouer againe the Darters with their fingers in the thongs of their darts the Archers with their arrowes
the Tent of Teribazus in which were beds with siluer feet and plate and some that said they were Bakers and Butlers These things being so happily atchieued the Coronels held it best to returne with all speed vnto the Campe lest perhaps some enterpise might be made vpon those that were left behinde and forthwith by trumpet giuing a signe of retreat they dismarched and came to the Campe the same day The next day they thought it good to proceed with all celerity before the enemies Armie could againe be rallied and possesse the streights Therefore they trussed vp their baggage hauing many guides marched forth thorow deep Snow and the same day getting ouer the tops where Teribazus purposed to haue charged them they set downe and encamped From thence in three encampings in the wildernesse they reached to the riuer Euphrates which they waded thorow not wetting themselues further than the Nauill The fountaines of this riuer were reported not to be farre off From thence they proceeded 15 Parasangs in three encampings through much Snow which couered the plaine country The third encamping was laborious and hard the north wind blowing stiffe against vs and scorching and befreezing the limbes of the Souldiers whereupon one of the Soothsayers said he would offer sacrifice to the wind to appease it which being accordingly performed there was no man but held opinion that the furie of the storme was much stilled and abated The Snow was in this place a fathom deepe so that many cariage beasts and slaues were lost and as good as 30 Souldiers They maintained fires the whole night by reason that there was great quantitie of wood in the place where they encamped and yet they that were benighted found no wood neither would those that first were quartered giue the late commers accesse to the fires vnlesse in recompence they imparted vnto them wheat or some other victuall such as they had So was there amongst them a mutuall communication of their commodities After the Snow was melted there appeared great pits vpon the earth where the fire was made by which a man might easily iudge of the depth of the Snow From thence they marched through Snow the whole next day and many of the Souldiers were taken with the disease called Boulimia Xenophon bringing vp the Reare and raising those Souldiers that lay vpon the ground was ignorant what the disease meant till one who had experience told him that it was a plaine Oxe-hunger and that they would immediatly stand vp if they had any thing to eat Therefore going to the cariage-beasts if he saw any drinke or victuals he distributed it either by himselfe or by such as were able to runne about to those that were pinched with hunger and they had no sooner eaten but they stood vp and marched In this march Cherisophus about twilight came to a Village where he found women and maids drawing and carying water before a Fort. The Interpreter told them in the Persian tongue that they came to the Viceroy from the King They answered the Vice-roy was not there but about a Parasang from thence Cherisophus because it was late entred with the water-bearers into the Fort vnto the Gouernour where he and as many as the place was capable of quartered that night The rest of the Souldiers that could not reach to the iournies end lodged that night without meat or fire so that some of them perished there There were of the enemy that gathered head and followed the Reare and taking the cariage-beasts such as were vnable to trauell fell foule together about the diuision of them Some also of the Souldiers whose sight was perished with the Snow or had their toes rotted off with the cold were left behinde The remedy against the Snow for the eyes was the wearing some blacke thing before them while they marched for the feet continuall mouing and resting no where and in the night time putting off their shooes from their feet As many as slept shod the strings of their shooes were imprinted in their feet and their shooes fast frozen to them For there were some that after they had worne out their old shooes made themselues countrey shooes of raw hides newly drawne from the Oxe Some therefore of the Souldiers were left behind inforced by such necessities who casting their eyes vpon a peece of ground that was black by reason the Snow was gone they imagined it was melted there And it was indeed melted by a Spring that sent out vapours in a wooddy valley not farre from thence Thither they turned and said they would march no further As soone as Xenophon that had the Reare perceiued it he prayed them and vsed all art and endeuour to perswade them not to remaine behinde alledging that the enemy being assembled in great number followed at their heeles At the last when he profited nothing he began to be angry they bid him kill them if he would for they were able to goe no further Hereupon it was thought best to put a feare if it might be into the enemy that followed The darknesse was now come and the enemy approached with much tumult and controuersie amongst themselues about the prey they had taken There they of the Reare as many as were in health rising vp ranne vpon the enemy the other that were weary shouting as intirely as they could beat their pikes vpon their targets Wherewith the enemy being affrighted cast himselfe into this Valley thorow the Snow and thence forward was not so much as a word heard from any of them the whole night Xenophon and the Souldiers with him marched on and he told them that were weary that he would send some to visit them the next day They had not gone foure furlongs but they hapned vpon other Souldiers that rested in the way vpon the Snow being also couered with it and had put out no watch or guard He made them stand vp and they gaue him to vnderstand that the Vaunt moued no further forward Himselfe therefore passing by and sending the ablest of the Peltasts to the Vaunt willed them to bring word what the impediment was They brought word that the whole Armie rested in the same manner Therefore they that were about Xenophon setting out such guards as they could lodged that night without fire or supper When it was toward day Xenophon sent the youngest Souldiers about him vnto the sicke commanding to raise them from the ground and to compell them to march on In the meane space were certaine men dispatched away by Cherisophus to inquire how it was with the Reare who saw them gladly and deliuered the sicke men vnto them to be conueighed to the Campe. Themselues marched on and after 20 furlongs march came to the Village where Cherisophus quartered and all being come together they resolued they might safely quarter in the Villages thereabout Cherisophus remained where he was The other casting lots for the
priuily to steale if we can and to lay bold of and as it were to snatch away by preuention a peece of the void mountaine than to fight both against a strong place and against men ready and resolued to trie their fortune For it is much more easie to mount a steepe passage without fight than to trauerse a Plaine beset on euery side with enemies and a man not fighting shall by night better discerne any thing before his feet than by day if he be in fight and rough places are more euen to his feet that fighteth not than plaine ground to him whose head is in danger And it seemeth to me not impossible to steale some part or other of the hill in regard that we haue both the benefit of the night not to be seene and mâ—y vse such circuit in ascending that the enemy shall neuer perceiue vs and if we make a shew as though we meant to passe the way we are in we shall finde the rest of the mountaine more cleere and void of resistance because it is likely he will make good the place which he holdeth with all his forces But what doe I talke of theft before you Cherisophus For I heare that you Lacedemonians as many of you as are of the equalls meditate from your childhood how to steale that it is no shame but a praise-worthy thing to steale such things as the law forbiddeth not to steale to the intent you steale and conceale your theft with more cunning the law ordaineth that if you be taken with the manner you shall be well whipped for your paines Now therefore it is a fit time for you to shew your education and to beware that in stealing the mountaine we be not taken with the manner lest we be beaten with many stripes Cherisophus replied And I likewise heare that you Athenians steale the riches of your State most artificially albeit it be no small danger for him that stealeth and that the best of you if the best desire to beare rule in the State are guilty of this crime So that it is good time for you also to shew your education I quoth Xenophon am ready after we haue supped to goe with the Reare and seize vpon the top of the mountaine Guides I am prouided of For our light-armed tooke some of the theeues that followed to surprise vs and I heare that the mountaine is not vnpassable but is fed with Goats and Neat. So that if we take any part thereof we shall finde also a way for our cariage-beasts and I hope the enemy after we haue once gained the height and are in euen ground with them will no longer maintaine the place the rather because they haue no great minde to descend now vnto vs into the Plaine Yea but what need you goe quoth Cherisophus and leaue the Reare Rather if no man be willing to goe of himselfe let vs make choice of some one or other Hereupon Aristonymus the Methydrian came vp and presented himselfe with armed foot and Aristaeus the Chian with light-armed and Nicomachus the Oetaean likewise with light-armed and the signe was agreed vpon namely to make fires after the top was taken All things being thus concluded they dined Then Cherisophus led the Army forward toward the enemy some 10 furlongs as though he had a purpose to continue his march that way When they had supped and it was night those that were appointed proceeded on and tooke the top of the mountaine the rest of the Armie remained in the place where they were The enemy perceiuing that the top of the mountaine was taken watched and made fires all the night By breake of day Cherisophus offered sacrifice and led the Armie in the way they marched before and they that had wonne the hill and the height thereof made head against the enemy who in greatest number remained vpon the ordinarie way that lay toward the top but a part of them aduanced against the Grecians that had gained the height who came to hands before the whole Armie ioyned in which conflict the Grecians had the better and followed the chace vpon the enemy In this meane time the Peltasts of the Grecians that were in the Plaine ran vp the hill to their companions that had the victory Cherisophus with the armed followed as fast as he could without disordering their troupes The enemy that lay vpon the way when they saw their companions beaten on the height of the hill abandoned the place and fled Many of them were slaine and they left behinde many wicker targets which the Grecians cutting in peeces with their swords made for euer after vnprofitable and of no vse When they came to the top of the mountaine they offered sacrifice and erecting a Trophey descended into the Plaine and into Villages stored with plenty of all things After this they marched toward the Taochans 30 Parasangs in fiue encampings Their victuals here began to wax scant because the Taochans inhabited strong holds into which they had conueighed all their vsefull prouision they crept into a Hold that had neither city nor house in it and in it men and women and many beasts were gathered together Cherisophus presently marched against it and so disposed his troupes that when the first was weary another streight succeeded and then another For they could not with their whole forces beset the place round because it was prerupt in all the circuit When Xenophon came vp with the Reare both Peltasts and armed Cherisophus told him he was welcome For the place said he must needs be forced because henceforth we shall haue no prouision for the Armie if we omit this Hold. Hereupon they aduised in common and when Xenophon asked what impediment there was why it might not be entred Cherisophus answered There is no other way but this one that you see and when any man proffereth to ascend they tumble downe stones from the high rocke hanging ouer and vpon whomsoeuer the stones light thus is hee serued and withall shewed many Souldiers that had their legs and sides crushed and broken a peeces But when the stones are spent quoth Xenophon what other impediment shall we haue For we see but these few oppose against vs and of them but two or three armed men And the space which is so dangerous is not aboue three halfe Plethers and thereof about a Plether is beset with a thicket of great Pine trees after which the Souldiers standing what hurt can they haue either from stones throwne or tumbled downe There remaineth then but halfe a Plether which must be passed running in the time whilest the stones cease But quoth Cherisophus we can no sooner moue toward the thicket but the stones come rowling downe in abundance So should it be quoth Xenophon for so they will the sooner be spent But let vs if we can haste thither from whence least way remaines afterward to run and
from whence if we be disposed we may retire with most ease Then Cherisophus and Xenophoâ— and Callimachus the Parrhasian Captaine for he had the leading of the Captaines of the Reare that day began to aduance The rest of the Captaines remained in safetie in the place where they were Then about 70 Souldiers got to the trees not thronging together but one by one each of them heedfull to auoid the danger as he could Agasias the Sâ—ymphalian and Aristonymus the Methydrian who were also Captaines in the Reare and some other stood behinde the trees for it was not safe for more than a Company to shelter themselues there Here Callimachus put in practise a deuice of his owne Hee ranne two or three steps from the tree behinde which hee stood and when the stones came rowling downe hee quickly retired Vpon euery stepping forth of his were spent more than ten waggons of stones When Agasias saw what Callimachus did and that it was in the sight of the army fearing he would be the first that should enter the hold neither signifying any thing to Aristonymus that stood next him nor yet to Eurylochus the Lusian who were both his Companions nor to any other he put forward and outwent all the rest Callimachus seeing him passe by caugâ—t hold of the circumference of his Target In the meane time Aristonymus the Methydrian and Eurylochus the Lucian came by for all these were at contention and strife amongst themselues which of them should be esteemed the most valiant in this emulation they entred the place No sooner had one of them entred but the tumbling downe of stoâ—es was staid A grieuous spectacle was thence-forth there to be beheld The women after they had cast downe their children from the Rocke threw themselues after and so did the men There also Aeneas the Stymphalian Captaine seeing one that had on a faire garment running to cast himselfe downe laid hold vpon him to saue him But the other drawing him on both tumbled headlong downe together and immediately died of the fall In this place were few men but multitudes of Oxen Asses and Sheepe taken From thence they marched thorow the Chalybiaâ—s Countrey 50 Parasangs in seuen encampings That Nation was the valiantest of all that the Grecians passed thorow and such as durst come to handie blowes with them They bore Linen Curaces that reached downe to their bellies and in stead of wings had thicke ropes wound and fastened together They had besides Greaues and Head-peeces and on their Girdle a short Sword like a Lacedemonian Cemiterie wherewith they slay them whom they ouercome and cutting off their heads returne to their friends singing and dancing especially if it be in the enemies sight They haue furthermore a Pike of about fifteene Cubits long armed at one end with a head of Yron They remained in Townes and when the Grecians passed by they followed them still skirmishing Afterward they remoued into strong places and conueighed their prouision thither So that the Grecians could get nothing there but were faine to feed vpon the cariage-beasts which they tooke from the Tacchans From thence they departed to the Riuer Harpasus a Riuer of foure Plethers bredth and then thorow the Scythinians Countrey 20 Parasangs in foure encampings It was a plaine Countrey and in it they found villages in which they remained three daies making prouision of Corne. From thence they proceeded in foure encampings 20 Parasangs and came to a great wealthy and well inhabited Citie named Gymnias The Lieutenant of the Country sent the Grecians a guide to leade them thorow the enemies Countrey Himselfe comming vnto them told them that he in person would within fiue daies bring them to a place from whence they should see the Sea if not he refused not to be put to death When he was come into his enemies Countrey he willed them to burne and destroy the Land Whereby appeared that no good affection he bare them but the losse of the enemie was the only cause he came vnto the Grecians The fifth day they came to the holy Mountaine which was called Theches Assoone as they first came to the top of the Mountaine and saw the Sea there was much shouting and hollowing Xenophon and the Reare hearing it imagined that some enemie gaue vpon the Vant. For there were that followed them out of the Countrey which they had fired and of them some were taken others slaine by the Reare which laid an ambush for them and they got besides 20 wicker Targets couered with raw and hairie hides of Oxen. When the cry grew more and more and those that came after still ran with all speed to the other that cried in the Vant and as more trooped together the cry the more increased Xenophon conceiued it was not without great cause Therefore getting to hors-backe and taking with him Lucius and the Horse he speeded on to succour They heard streight way the voices of Souldiers comforting one another crying The Sea the Sea whereupon they ran all forward both they that came in the Reare and also the cariage-beasts and Horses When all were come to the top of the Mountaine they fell to embracing both of one another and also of the Coronels and Captaines and that not without teares and presently it is not knowne by whose commandement the Souldiers caried together stones and raised vp a great heape and laid thereon a number of Targets couered with raw Oxe hides and of staues and of wicker targets taken from the enemy The guide himselfe cut asunder the wicker targets perswaded the rest to do the like After this the Grecians sent away their guide hauing giuen him a Horse a siluer bowle a Persian sute of apparell 10 Daricks Aboue all other things he desired the rings they wore had a great many giuen him by the Souldiers And so shewing them a village wherein they might lodge and the way that led to the Macrons assoone as the euening approched he departed holding on his iourney by night From thence the Grecians marched forward thorow the Macrons Countrey 10 Parasangs in three encampings The next day they came as far as the riuer that diuideth the territories of the Macrons of the Scythinians on their right hand they had a very steep mountaine hard to ascend on their left another riuer into which the riuer that diuideth the countries did run and thorow that riuer they must needs passe It was beset with thick trees albeit not standing very closely together These trees the Grecians cut down when they came to the riuer side making as great diligence as they could to rid themselues out of the Countrey The Macrons armed with wicker targets with pikes and coats made of haire stood imbattelled on the aduerse side of the riuer incouraging one another and casting stones into the riuer which notwithstanding reached not the Grecians nor hurt any man There
Camerades Xenophon here remembred him and said Are you he that caried the sicke man The same quoth he for you forced me to doe it and to cast away the baggage of my Camerades This casting away quoth Xenophon was in this manner I gaue it to other to carie and after to restore it to me and receiuing it safe assoone as you shewed me the sicke man I restored it to you againe Heare I pray how the matter stood for it is worth the hearing There was a Souldier left behind being not able to continue his march I knowing the man to be of our companie compelled you to carie him lest he should perish For as I remember the enemie followed vs close He confessed all this to be true Therefore when I sent you before comming vp with the Reare did I not finde you digging of a pit as though you meant to burie the man and did not I commend you therefore But when the Souldier bowed his legge in all our presences did not all cry out He liues and when you spoke at your pleasure and flatly denied to carie him I beat you I confesse for it appeared you knew he was not dead What then quoth he did he not die after I shewed him to you For we must all die quoth Xenophon must we therefore be throwne into a hole aliue Here the whole assembly cried that the man was not beaten enough Then he desired some other to stand vp and declare the cause why he was beaten When no man arose Xenophon spake thus I confesse ô Souldiers I strooke many for forsaking their Ranks It may suffice them that they owe their safetie to you who alwaies marched and when need was fought in order They forsooth would be in better case than you and leauing their place run before to harrie and spoile at their pleasure If all had done the like we had all been lost and cast away long ere this I must confesse I once beat one and forced him to march who for slouth would not stand vp but would needs betray himselfe to the enemie For on a time after I my selfe had in the extremitie of Winter a good while set me downe on the ground staying for some that had not trussed vp their baggage I found my selfe scarce able to rise scarce able to stretch out my legs Taking therefore herein experience of my selfe I no sooner perceiued other men to squat downe and giue themselues to slouth but I forced them to arise and to march on For I pâ—â—ceiued that motion and manly stirring engendâ—ed warâ—â—h and nimblenesse in the ioints where sitting still on the other side and quietnesse congealed the blood and endangered the toes to rot off which many of you know to be true by experience in your selues Another that resâ—â—d on the ground and loitered behinde and both hindered you of the Vâ—â—â— and vs of the Reare to march on I strooke with my fist lâ—â—t the eneâ—â—e should haue strooken him with his Speare Now they are in saâ—etâ—e they may call me to answer for any thing wherein I haue wronged them But if they had fallen into the enemies hands what remedie could they haue had of their sufferings were they neuer so grieuous My speech is simple For if I haue punished any for his owne good I desire to vndergoe the same sentence that Fathers should for their Children Masters for their Schollers Physitians also both burne and cut for the health of their Patients But if you conceiue that all these things proceeded from me out of a wanton humour consider I pray that by the helpe of the gods I dare doe more now than at that time and that I drinke more Wine now than I did then For I see you are now in faire weather but when there is a storme and the Sea goeth high marke you not that the Master of the Ship in the Prowe the steeres-man in the Poupe are angry with the passengers for the lest stirring in the world For small errors at that time ouerthrow all But your selues also deemed that in beating these men I swarued not from right For you stood not with Beanes but with weapons in your hands and it was in you to haue succoured them if you had thought good But you neither succoured nor with me punished any man for forsaking his Ranke and by suffering them to be disobedient you gaue the greater power to their misdemeanours For I thinke if you shall be pleased to make a true estimate you shall finde the same men to haue been then the most disorderly and now the most deboshed Boiscus the Baeotian wrestler striued then all he could vnder pretence of sicknesse not to carie his Target Now as I vnderstand he hath robbed many of the Cotyorites Therefore if you be wise you will deale with him after another manner than they doe with Dogges Dogges that are curst men vse to tie vp in the day and let loose in the night Him it were not amisse to let loose in the day and to shut vp in the night But that which I most wonder at is that you remember and passe not ouer with silence any thing be it neuer so small wherein I seeme to haue giuen you offence If I haue succoured any man against cold or saued him from the enemie or releeued him in sicknesse or in want no man once remembreth it And if I haue commended any man for a thing well done or according to my abilitie honoured him for his valour neither doe you remember that And yet it is honest and iust and holy and pleasant that remembrance be had rather of that which is good than of the bad After this the assembly broke vp and repeated in minde what had passed and all things came to a faire end Finis Libri Quinti THE SIXTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF XENOPHON TOVCHING THE Ascent of CYRVS the younger out of Asia the Lesse into the Higher COVNTREYS FRom hence-forth during their aboad there some eat and liued of things that were brought to the Market other of the spoile they purchased out of Paphlagonia The Paphlagonians likewise sought tricks and aduantages against the straglers and by night attempted to entrappe and molest them who lodged any distance from the Campe. By reason whereof they grew into greater enmitie one against another But Corylas who at that time had the rule of Paphlagonia sent to the Grecians Embassadors who were furnished with faire Horse and braue apparell They deliuered that Corylas neither desired to wrong the Grecians nor yet to be wronged by them The Coronels answered they would propound the matter to the assembly but they feasted them and inuited such as they thought fit to beare them companie and sacrificing some of the Oxen taken in prey and other beasts they made them a plentifull banket sitting vpon Carpets and drinking out of horne-Cups which they found in the Countrey After the healths were drunke and the Paean sung the Thracians first arose
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