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
The two Armies being within three or four Stadia of each other, the
Greeks sung the Pæan, and advanced: As this Motion occasion’d a small
Fluctuation in the Line of Battle, those who were left behind, hasten’d
their march, and at once they gave a general Shout, as their Custom is
when they invoke the God of War, and all ran on. Some say they struck
their Shields with their Pikes to frighten the Enemy’s Horses. But the
Barbarians, before they came within the Reach of their Darts, turn’d
their Horses and fled, and the Greeks pursued them as fast as they could,
calling out to one another not to run, but to follow in their Ranks. Here
some of the Chariots were borne through their own People without their
Charioteers, others through the Greeks, some of whom seeing them coming,
divided; while others being amaz’d, like Spectators in the Hippodrome,
were taken unawares; but even these were reported to have received no
harm, neither was there any other Greek hurt in the Action, except one
upon the left Wing, who was said to have been wounded by an Arrow.
Cyrus seeing the Greeks victorious on their side, and in pursuit of the
Enemy, rejoic’d, and was already worshipp’d as King by those about him;
however, he was not so far transported as to leave his Post, and join in
the Pursuit; but, keeping his six hundred Horse in a Body, he observ’d
the King’s Motions; well knowing that he was in the Center of the Persian
Army: for in all Barbarian Armies, the Generals ever place themselves in
the Center, looking upon that Post as the safest, on each side of which
their Strength is equally divided, and, if they have occasion to give
out any Orders, these are receiv’d in half the time by the Army. The
King therefore being at that time in the Center of his own Battle, was,
however, beyond the left Wing of Cyrus; and, when he saw none oppos’d him
in front, nor any Motion made to charge the Troops that were drawn up
before him, he wheel’d to the left, in order to surround their Army. Upon
this Cyrus, fearing he should get behind him, and cut off the Greeks,
advanc’d against the King, and charging with his six hundred Horse, broke
those who were drawn up before him, put the six thousand Men to flight,
and, as they say, killed with his own Hand Artagerses, their Commander.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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