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
It was now the middle of the Day, and no Enemy was yet to be seen. In
the Afternoon there appear’d a Dust like a white Cloud, which not long
after spread itself like a Darkness over the Plain; when they drew
nearer, immediately the brazen Armour flash’d, and their Spears and Ranks
appear’d: The Enemy had on their left a Body of Horse arm’d in white
Corslets (these were said to be commanded by Tissaphernes), next came
those with Persian Bucklers, and next to them heavy-arm’d Men with wooden
Shields, reaching down to their Feet (these were said to be Egyptians);
then other Horse and other Archers. All these marched according to their
respective Countries, each Nation being drawn up in a solid oblong
Square: And before them were disposed the Chariots arm’d with Scythes,
at a considerable distance from one another. These Chariots had Scythes
fix’d aslant at the Axle-Trees, with others under the Body of the
Chariot, pointing downwards, that so they might cut asunder every thing
they encounter’d. The Design of these Chariots was to break the Ranks of
the Greeks.
It now appear’d that Cyrus, when he had exhorted the Greeks to withstand
the Shouts of the Barbarians, was mistaken; for they did not come on
with Shouts, but as silently and quietly as possible, and in an equal
and slow March. Here Cyrus, riding along the Ranks with Pigres the
Interpreter, and three or four others, called to Clearchus to bring his
Men over-against the Center of the Enemy, because the King was there:
And if we break that, says he, our Work is done. But Clearchus observing
their Center, and understanding from Cyrus that the King was beyond the
left Wing of the Greek Army (for the King was so much superior in number,
that, when he stood in the Center of his own Army, he was beyond the left
Wing of that of Cyrus) Clearchus, I say, would not however be prevail’d
on to withdraw his right from the River, fearing to be surrounded on both
sides: but answer’d Cyrus, He would take care that all should go well.
Now the Barbarians came regularly on: and the Greek Army standing on the
same Ground, the Ranks were form’d, as the Men came up. In the mean time
Cyrus, riding at a small distance before the Ranks, survey’d both the
Enemy’s Army and his own: Whom Xenophon, an Athenian, observing from the
Greek Army, he rode up to him, and ask’d him, whether he had any thing
to command; Cyrus, stopping his Horse, order’d him to let them all know,
that the Sacrifices and Victims promis’d success. While he was saying
this, he heard a Noise running through the Ranks, and ask’d him what
Noise it was; Xenophon answer’d, that the Word was now giving for the
second time; Cyrus wonder’d who should give it, and ask’d him what the
Word was; the other replied, Jupiter the Preserver, and Victory: Which
Cyrus hearing, said, I accept it, let That be the Word. After he had said
this, he return’d to his Post.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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