The First Four Books of Xenophon's AnabasisXenophon
History
The First Four Books of Xenophon's Anabasis
Xenophon
Cyrus, the Younger, approximately 423 B.C.-401 B.C.; Iran -- History -- To 640
10. But when the rear of the Greeks was descending from the hills into
the villages, being now overtaken by darkness, (for, as the way was
narrow, their ascent of the heights, and descent to the villages, had
lasted the entire day,) some of the Carduchi, collecting together,
attacked the hindmost, and killed and wounded some of them with stones
and arrows. They were but few; for the Greek troops had come on them
unawares; 11. but had they assembled in greater numbers, a great part of
the army would have been in danger of being destroyed. For this night,
accordingly, they took up their abode in the villages; and the Carduchi
lighted a number of fires around them on the hills, and observed the
positions of one another.[177] 12. As soon as it was day, the generals
and captains of the Greeks, meeting together, resolved, when they
should march, to reserve only such of the baggage-cattle as were most
necessary and most able, abandoning the rest, and to dismiss all the
slaves in the army that had been recently captured; 13. for the cattle
and the slaves, being numerous, rendered their progress slow, and the
number of men in charge of them were unable to take part in any
encounter; and besides, when the men were so numerous, it was necessary
to procure and carry with them a double quantity of provisions. This
resolution being passed, they made proclamation that the troops should
act accordingly.
14. When they had breakfasted, and were on the march, the generals,
taking their stand in a narrow part of the way, took from the soldiers
whatever of the things mentioned they found had not been left behind;
and the men submitted to this, unless any of them, smitten with desire
of a handsome boy or woman, conveyed them past secretly.[178] Thus they
proceeded during this day, sometimes having to fight a little, and
sometimes resting themselves. 15. On the next day a great storm arose;
but they were obliged to pursue their march, for they had not a
sufficient supply of provisions. Cheirisophus continued to lead, and
Xenophon had charge of the rear. 16. The enemy pressed steadily upon
them, and, where the passes were narrow, came close up, and used their
bows and their slings; so that the Greeks, sometimes pursuing and
sometimes retreating, were compelled to march but slowly; and Xenophon,
when the enemy attacked them violently, had frequently to pass the word
for a halt. 17. Cheirisophus, at other times, when the order was passed,
halted, but on one occasion he did not halt, but hurried on rapidly, and
passed the word to follow; so that it was manifest that there was
something extraordinary; but there was no time to go forward and
ascertain the cause of the haste; and the march of the rear-guard became
like a flight. 18. On this occasion a brave soldier, Cleonymus a
Lacedæmonian, met his death, being shot with an arrow in the side
through his shield and corslet;[179] and also Basias, an Arcadian, shot
right through the head.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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