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
34. When evening approached, it became time for the enemy to retire; for
the Barbarians never encamped at a less distance from the Greeks than
sixty stadia, fearing lest the Greeks should attack them in the night.
35. For in the night a Persian army is difficult to manage; as their
horses are tied, and for the most part fastened by the feet, that they
may not run away if they should be untied; and if any sudden attack
takes place, the Persian has[166] to put the housings [167] on his
horse, and to bridle him, and then, when he has put on his armour, to
mount; but all these things are troublesome by night and in the midst of
an alarm. On this account they encamped at a distance from the Greeks.
36. As soon as the Greeks saw that they intended to retire, and were
passing the order for doing so, proclamation was made among the Greeks,
in the hearing of the enemy, that they were to collect their baggage;
when the Barbarians, for some time, delayed their march; but, when it
grew late, they went off; for they did not think it expedient to march
and arrive at their camp[168] in the night. 37. When the Greeks observed
them evidently moving away, they themselves also decamped[169] and began
to march, and accomplished as much as sixty stadia. There was thus so
great a distance between the armies, that the enemy did not appear on
the following day or on the third; but on the fourth, the Barbarians,
having gone forward in the night, occupied an elevated position on the
right, on the route by which the Greeks were to pass; the brow of a
mountain, beneath which was the descent into the plain. 38. As soon as
Cheirisophus saw that this eminence was pre-occupied, he sent for
Xenophon from the rear, and ordered him to bring his peltasts and come
to the front. 39. Xenophon however did not bring the peltasts, (for he
saw Tissaphernes, and all his force, in full view,) but, riding up
alone, asked, "Why do you call me?" Cheirisophus replied, "You may see;
for the eminence above the descent has been pre-occupied against us, and
it is impossible to pass, unless we cut off those who are on it. But why
did you not bring the peltasts?" 40. Xenophon replied that he did not
think it right to leave the rear unguarded when the enemy were in sight.
"But it is high time," he continued, "to consider how some of us may
dislodge those men from the hill." 41. Xenophon now noticed that the
summit of the mountain[170] was above their own army, and that there
was a way from it to the hill where the enemy were, and exclaimed, "It
is best for us, Cheirisophus, to hasten as quickly as possible to the
summit, for if we gain this, those who are above our road will be unable
to maintain their ground. But do you, if you please, remain with the
army; I have a desire to go forward; or, if you prefer it, proceed on to
the mountain, and I will stay here." 42. "I leave you," replied
Cheirisophus, "to choose which of the two you please." Xenophon,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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