The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 04 : $b Greece to the Roman Conquest
History
The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 04 : $b Greece to the Roman Conquest
World history
Close to the Euphrates, there was a narrow Pass, between the River and
the Trench, about twenty Feet in breadth. This Trench the Great King,
as soon as he heard Cyrus was marching against him, caus’d to be made
by way of Fortification; through this Pass Cyrus and his Army march’d,
and were now within the Trench. That day the King did not engage, but
many Tracks appear’d both of Horses and Men that retreated. Here Cyrus,
sending for Silanus, the Soothsayer of Ambracia, gave him three thousand
Darics,[6] because the eleventh Day before that, when he was offering
Sacrifice, he told Cyrus that the King would not fight within ten Days:
Upon which Cyrus said, “If he does not fight within ten Days, he will
not fight at all: And, if what you say proves true, I’ll give you ten
Talents;” which Sum, the ten Days being expir’d, he then paid him. Since
therefore the King had suffer’d the Army of Cyrus to march through this
Pass unmolested, both Cyrus and the rest concluded that he had given over
all Thoughts of fighting: so that the next Day Cyrus march’d with less
Circumspection; and the third day he rode on his Car, very few marching
before him in their Ranks; great part of the Soldiers observ’d no Order,
many of their Arms being carried in Waggons, and upon sumpter Horses.
It was now about the time of Day, when the Market is usually crowded, the
Army being near the place, where they propos’d to encamp, when Patagyas,
a Persian, one of those whom Cyrus most confided in, was seen riding
towards them full speed, his Horse all in a Sweat, and immediately called
to every one he met, both in his own Language, and in Greek, that the
King was at hand with a vast Army, marching in Order of Battle. Upon
this there was great Confusion, the Greeks and all the rest expecting he
would charge them, before they had put themselves in Order: and Cyrus
leaping from his Car, put on his Corslet, then mounting his Horse, took
his Javelins in his Hand, and order’d all the rest to arm, and every Man
to take his Post: They quickly form’d themselves, Clearchus on the right
Wing, close to the Euphrates, and next to him Proxenus, and after him the
rest: Menon and his Men were posted upon the left of the Greek Army. Of
the Barbarians a thousand Paphlagonian Horse, with the Greek Targeteers,
stood next to Clearchus on the right. Upon the left Ariæus, Cyrus’
Lieutenant-General, was plac’d with the rest of the Barbarians. Cyrus put
himself in the Center with six hundred Horse: they had large Corslets,
and Cuisses, and all of them Helmets, but Cyrus, who stood ready for
the Charge, with his Head unarm’d; they say it is also customary for
the rest of the Persians to expose themselves in a day of Action in
the same manner: All the Horses in Cyrus’ Army had both Frontlets and
Breast-plates, and the Horsemen Greek Swords.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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