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
Iphicrates, as soon as he commenced his voyage, continued, while he
pursued his way, to prepare everything necessary for an engagement. He
left his large sails at home at starting, as standing out for a battle,
and of his other sails, even if the wind was favourable, he made little
use; but, making his passage with the oar, caused his men, by that means,
to keep themselves in better condition, and his ships to pursue their
course better. Frequently, too, wherever the crews were going to dine
or sup, he would draw off one extremity of the fleet to a distance from
the land over against the place, and, when he had turned about, and
ranged his vessels in a line with their prows towards it, would start
them, at a signal, to race against each other to the shore; when it was
a great advantage for such as could first take their water, and whatever
else they needed, and first finish their meal; while, to such as came
last, it was a great punishment to have the disadvantage in all these
respects, since they were all obliged to put out to sea again when he
gave the signal; for it was the fortune of those that landed first to do
everything at their leisure, but of those that were last, to do all with
hurry.
If he landed to take a meal in the enemy’s country, he not only posted
sentinels, as was proper, on the shore, but also, raising the masts in
his ships, kept a lookout from thence. The men stationed on the masts,
indeed, saw much farther than those on the level ground, as they looked
down from a higher position. Wherever he supped or slept, he kindled
no fire in the camp at night, but kept a light burning in front of the
encampment, that no one might approach undiscovered. Often, moreover, if
the weather was calm, he would resume his voyage as soon as supper was
over; and, if a breeze propelled the vessels, the men reposed as they
ran on, but, if it was necessary to use the oar, he made them take rest
by turns. In his course by day, he would sometimes, at given signals,
lead his ships in a line behind one another, and sometimes in a body
side by side; so that, while they pursued their voyage, they practised
and acquired whatever was necessary for naval warfare, and thus arrived
at the sea which they believed to be occupied by the enemy. They dined
and supped, for the most part, on the enemy’s territory; but, as they
did nothing more there than what was necessary, Iphicrates escaped all
attacks by the suddenness with which he resumed his voyage, which he soon
accomplished. About the time of Mnasippus’ death he was at the Sphagiæ
in Laconia. Advancing thence to the coast of Elis, and sailing past the
mouth of the Alpheus, he came to anchor at the promontory called Icthys.
Next day he proceeded from thence to Cephallenia, with his fleet so
arranged, and keeping his course in such a manner, that he could, if it
should be requisite, get everything needful ready for battle, and engage
at once; for as to the fate of Mnasippus, he had heard no account from
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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