Xenophon
Anabasis
or March Up Country
BOOK IV
In the preceding portion of the narrative a full account is given of the incidents
of the march up to the battle, and of the occurrences after the battle during
the truce which was established between the king and the Hellenes, who marched
up with Cyrus, and thirdly, of the fighting to which the Hellenes were exposed,
after the king and Tissaphernes had broken the treaty, while a Persian army hung
on their rear. Having finally reached a point at which the Tigris was absolutely
impassable owing to its depth and breadth, while there was no passage along the
bank itself, and the Carduchian hills hung sheer over the river, the generals
took the resolution above mentioned of forcing a passage through the mountains.
The information derived from the prisoners taken along the way led them to believe
that once across the Carduchian mountains they would have the choice either of
crossing the Tigris–if they liked to do so–at its sources in Armenia, or of
going round them, if so they preferred. Report further said that the sources of
the Euphrates also were not far from those of the Tigris, and this is actually
the case. The advance into the country of the Carduchians was conducted with a
view partly to secrecy, and partly to speed, so as to effect their entry before
the enemy could occupy the passes.
I
It was now about the last watch, and enough of the night remained to 1 allow
them to cross the valley under cover of darkness; when, at the word of command,
they rose and set off on their march, reaching the mountains at daybreak. At this
stage of the march Cheirisophus, at the head of his own division, with the whole
of the light troops, led the van, while Xenophon followed behind with the heavy
infantry of the rearguard, but without any light troops, since there seemed to
be no danger of pursuit or attack from the rear, while they were making their
way up hill. Cheirisophus reached the summit without any of the 6 enemy perceiving
him. Then he led on slowly, and the rest of the army followed, wave upon wave,
cresting the summit and descending into the villages which nestled in the hollows
and recesses of the hills.
Thereupon the Carduchians abandoned their dwelling places, and with their wives
and children fled to the mountains; so there was plenty of provisions to be got
for the mere trouble of taking, and the homesteads too were well supplied with
a copious store of bronze vessels and utensils which the Hellenes kept their hands
off, abstaining at the same time from all pursuit of the folk themselves, gently
handling them, in hopes that the Carduchians might be willing to give them friendly
passage through their country, since they too were enemies of the king: only they
helped themselves to such provisions as fell in their way, which indeed was a
sheer necessity. But the Carduchians neither gave ear, when they called to them,
nor showed any other friendly sign; and now, as the last of the Hellenes descended
into the villages from the pass, they were already in the dark, since, owing to
the narrowness of the road, the whole day had been spent in the ascent and descent.
At that instant a party of the Carduchians, who had collected, made an attack
on the hindmost men, killing some and wounding others with stones and arrows–though
it was quite a small body who attacked. The fact was, the approach of the Hellenic
army had taken them by surprise; if, however, they had mustered in larger force
at this time, the chances are that a large portion of the army would have been
annihilated. As it was, they got into quarters, and bivouacked in the villages
that night, while the Carduchians kept many watch-fires blazing in a circle on
the mountains, and kept each other in sight all round.
But with the dawn the generals and officers of the Hellenes met and resolved
to proceed, taking only the necessary number of stout baggage animals, and leaving
the weaklings behind. They resolved further to let go free all the lately-captured
slaves in the host; for the pace of the march was necessarily rendered slow by
the quantity of animals and prisoners, and the number of non-combatants in attendance
on these 13 was excessive, while, with such a crowd of human beings to satisfy,
twice the amount of provisions had to be procured and carried. These resolutions
passed, they caused a proclamation by herald to be made for their enforcement.
When they had breakfasted and the march recommenced, the generals planted themselves
a little to one side in a narrow place, and when they found any of the aforesaid
slaves or other property still retained, they confiscated them. The soldiers yielded
obedience, except where some smuggler, prompted by desire of a good-looking boy
or woman, managed to make off with his prize. During this day they contrived to
get along after a fashion, now fighting and now resting. But on the next day they
were visited by a great storm, in spite of which they were obliged to continue
the march, owing to insufficiency of provisions. Cheirisophus was as usual leading
in front, while Xenophon headed the rearguard, when the enemy began a violent
and sustained attack. At one narrow place after another they came up quite close,
pouring in volleys of arrows and slingstones, so that the Hellenes had no choice
but to make sallies in pursuit and then again recoil, making but very little progress.
Over and over again Xenophon would send an order to the front to slacken pace,
when the enemy were pressing their attack severely. As a rule, when the word was
so passed up, Cheirisophus slackened; but sometimes instead of slackening, Cheirisophus
quickened, sending down a counter-order to the rear to follow on quickly. It was
clear that there was something or other happening, but there was no time to go
to the front and discover the cause of the hurry. Under the circumstances the
march, at any rate in the rear, became very like a rout, and here a brave man
lost his life, Cleonymus the Laconian, shot with an arrow in the ribs right through
shield and corselet, as also Basias, an Arcadian, shot clean through the head.
As soon as they reached a halting-place, Xenophon, without more ado, came up
to Cheirisophus, and took him to task for not having waited, “whereby,” he said,
“we were forced to fight and flee at the same 19 moment; and now it has cost us
the lives of two fine fellows; they are dead, and we were not able to pick up
their bodies or bury them.” Cheirisophus answered: “Look up there,” pointing as
he spoke to the mountain, “do you see how inaccessible it all is? only this one
road, which you see, going straight up, and on it all that crowd of men who have
seized and are guarding the single exit. That is why I hastened on, and why I
could not wait for you, hoping to be beforehand with them yonder in seizing the
pass: the guides we have got say there is no other way.” And Xenophon replied:
“But I have got two prisoners also; the enemy annoyed us so much that we laid
an ambuscade for them, which also gave us time to recover our breaths; we killed
some of them, and did our best to catch one or two alive–for this very reason–that
we might have guides who knew the country, to depend upon.”
The two were brought up at once and questioned separately: “Did they know of
any other road than the one visible?” The first said no; and in spite of all sorts
of terrors applied to extract a better answer–“no,” he persisted. When nothing
could be got out of him, he was killed before the eyes of his fellow. This latter
then explained: “Yonder man said, he did not know, because he has got a daughter
married to a husband in those parts. I can take you,” he added, “by a good road,
practicable even for beasts.” And when asked whether there was any point on it
difficult to pass, he replied that there was a col which it would be impossible
to pass unless it were occupied in advance.
Then it was resolved to summon the officers of the light infantry and some
of those of the heavy infantry, and to acquaint them with the state of affairs,
and ask them whether any of them were minded to distinguish themselves, and would
step forward as volunteers on an expedition. Two or three heavy infantry soldiers
stepped forward at once–two Arcadians, Aristonymus of Methydrium, and Agasias
of Stymphalus–and in emulation of these, a third, also an Arcadian, Callimachus
from Parrhasia, who said he was ready to go, and would get volunteers from the
whole army to join him. “I know,” he added, “there 27 will be no lack of youngsters
to follow where I lead.” After that they asked, “Were there any captains of light
infantry willing to accompany the expedition?” Aristeas, a Chian, who on several
occasions proved his usefulness to the army on such service, volunteered.
II
It was already late afternoon, when they ordered the storming party to 1 take
a snatch of food and set off; then they bound the guide and handed him over to
them. The agreement was, that if they succeeded in taking the summit they were
to guard the position that night, and at daybreak to give a signal by bugle. At
this signal the party on the summit were to attack the enemy in occupation of
the visible pass, while the generals with the main body would bring up their succours;
making their way up with what speed they might. With this understanding, off they
set, two thousand strong; and there was a heavy downpour of rain, but Xenophon,
with his rearguard, began advancing to the visible pass, so that the enemy might
fix his attention on this road, and the party creeping round might, as much as
possible, elude observation. Now when the rearguard, so advancing, had reached
a ravine which they must cross in order to strike up the steep, at that instant
the barbarians began rolling down great boulders, each a wagon load[1], some larger,
some smaller; against the rocks they crashed and splintered flying like slingstones
in every direction–so that it was absolutely out of the question even to approach
the entrance of the pass. Some of the officers finding themselves baulked at this
point, kept trying other ways, nor did they desist till darkness set in; and then,
when they thought they would not be seen retiring, they returned to supper. Some
of them who had been on duty in the rearguard had had no breakfast (it so happened).
However, the enemy never ceased rolling down their stones all through the night,
as was easy to infer from the booming sound.
[1] I.e. several ton weight.
The party with the guide made a circuit and surprised the enemy’s guards seated
round their fire, and after killing some, and driving out the rest, took their
places, thinking that they were in possession of the height. As a matter of fact
they were not, for above them lay a 6 breast-like hill[2] skirted by the narrow
road on which they had found the guards seated. Still, from the spot in question
there was an approach to the enemy, who were seated on the pass before mentioned.
[2] Or, “mamelon.”
Here then they passed the night, but at the first glimpse of dawn they marched
stealthily and in battle order against the enemy. There was a mist, so that they
could get quite close without being observed. But as soon as they caught sight
of one another, the trumpet sounded, and with a loud cheer they rushed upon the
fellows, who did not wait their coming, but left the road and made off; with the
loss of only a few lives however, so nimble were they. Cheirisophus and his men,
catching the sound of the bugle, charged up by the well-marked road, while others
of the generals pushed their way up by pathless routes, where each division chanced
to be; the men mounting as they were best able, and hoisting one another up by
means of their spears; and these were the first to unite with the party who had
already taken the position by storm. Xenophon, with the rearguard, followed the
path which the party with the guide had taken, since it was easiest for the beasts
of burthen; one half of his men he had posted in rear of the baggage animals;
the other half he had with himself. In their course they encountered a crest above
the road, occupied by the enemy, whom they must either dislodge or be themselves
cut off from the rest of the Hellenes. The men by themselves could have taken
the same route as the rest, but the baggage animals could not mount by any other
way than this.
Here then, with shouts of encouragement to each other, they dashed at the hill
with their storming columns, not from all sides, but leaving an avenue of escape
for the enemy, if he chose to avail himself of it. For a while, as the men scrambled
up where each best could, the natives kept up a fire of arrows and darts, yet
did not receive them at close quarters, but presently left the position in flight.
No sooner, however, were the Hellenes safely past this crest, than they came in
sight of another in front of them, also occupied, and deemed it advisable to storm
it also. But now it struck Xenophon that if they 13 left the ridge just taken
unprotected in their rear, the enemy might re-occupy it and attack the baggage
animals as they filed past, presenting a long extended line owing to the narrowness
of the road by which they made their way. To obviate this, he left some officers
in charge of the ridge–Cephisodorus, son of Cephisophon, an Athenian; Amphicrates,
the son of Amphidemus, an Athenian; and Archagoras, an Argive exile–while he
in person with the rest of the men attacked the second ridge; this they took in
the same fashion, only to find that they had still a third knoll left, far the
steepest of the three. This was none other than the mamelon mentioned as above
the outpost, which had been captured over their fire by the volunteer storming
party in the night. But when the Hellenes were close, the natives, to the astonishment
of all, without a struggle deserted the knoll. It was conjectured that they had
left their position from fear of being encircled and besieged, but the fact was
that they, from their higher ground, had been able to see what was going on in
the rear, and had all made off in this fashion to attack the rearguard.
So then Xenophon, with the youngest men, scaled up to the top, leaving orders
to the rest to march on slowly, so as to allow the hindmost companies to unite
with them; they were to advance by the road, and when they reached the level to
ground arms[3]. Meanwhile the Argive Archagoras arrived, in full flight, with
the announcement that they had been dislodged from the first ridge, and that Cephisodorus
and Amphicrates were slain, with a number of others besides, all in fact who had
not jumped down the crags and so reached the rearguard. After this achievement
the barbarians came to a crest facing the mamelon, and Xenophon held a colloquy
with them by means of an interpreter, to negotiate a truce, and demanded back
the dead bodies. These they agreed to restore if he would not burn their houses,
and to these terms Xenophon agreed. Meanwhile, as the rest of the army filed past,
and the colloquy was proceeding, all the people of the place had time to gather
gradually, and the enemy formed; and as soon as the Hellenes began to descend
from the mamelon to join the others where the troops were halted, on rushed the
foe, in full force, with hue and cry. They 20 reached the summit of the mamelon
from which Xenophon was descending, and began rolling down crags. One man’s leg
was crushed to pieces. Xenophon was left by his shield-bearer, who carried off
his shield, but Eurylochus of Lusia[4], an Arcadian hoplite, ran up to him, and
threw his shield in front to protect both of them; so the two together beat a
retreat, and so too the rest, and joined the serried ranks of the main body.
[3] To take up position.
[4] I.e. of Lusi (or Lusia), a town (or district) in Northern Arcadia.
After this the whole Hellenic force united, and took up their quarters there
in numerous beautiful dwellings, with an ample store of provisions, for there
was wine so plentiful that they had it in cemented cisterns. Xenophon and Cheirisophus
arranged to recover the dead, and in return restored the guide; afterwards they
did everything for the dead, according to the means at their disposal, with the
customary honours paid to good men.
Next day they set off without a guide; and the enemy, by keeping up a continuous
battle and occupying in advance every narrow place, obstructed passage after passage.
Accordingly, whenever the van was obstructed, Xenophon, from behind, made a dash
up the hills and broke the barricade, and freed the vanguard by endeavouring to
get above the obstructing enemy. Whenever the rear was the point attacked, Cheirisophus,
in the same way, made a detour, and by endeavouring to mount higher than the barricaders,
freed the passage for the rear rank; and in this way, turn and turn about, they
rescued each other, and paid unflinching attention to their mutual needs. At times
it happened that, the relief party having mounted, encountered considerable annoyance
in their descent from the barbarians, who were so agile that they allowed them
to come up quite close, before they turned back, and still escaped, partly no
doubt because the only weapons they had to carry were bows and slings.
They were, moreover, excellent archers, using bows nearly three cubits long
and arrows more than two cubits. When discharging the arrow, they draw the string
by getting a purchase with the left foot planted 28 forward on the lower end of
the bow. The arrows pierced through shield and cuirass, and the Hellenes, when
they got hold of them, used them as javelins, fitting them to their thongs. In
these districts the Cretans were highly serviceable. They were under the command
of Stratocles, a Cretan.
III
During this day they bivouacked in the villages which lie above the 1 plain
of the river Centrites[1], which is about two hundred feet broad. It is the frontier
river between Armenia and the country of the Carduchians. Here the Hellenes recruited
themselves, and the sight of the plain filled them with joy, for the river was
but six or seven furlongs distant from the mountains of the Carduchians. For the
moment then they bivouacked right happily; they had their provisions, they had
also many memories of the labours that were now passed; seeing that the last seven
days spent in traversing the country of the Carduchians had been one long continuous
battle, which had cost them more suffering than the whole of their troubles at
the hands of the king and Tissaphernes put together. As though they were truly
quit of them for ever, they laid their heads to rest in sweet content.
[1] I.e. the Eastern Tigris.
But with the morrow’s dawn they espied horsemen at a certain point across the
river, armed cap-a-pie, as if they meant to dispute the passage. Infantry, too,
drawn up in line upon the banks above the cavalry, threatened to prevent them
debouchng into Armenia. These troops were Armenian and Mardian and Chaldaean mercenaries
belonging to Orontas and Artuchas. The last of the three, the Chaldaeans, were
said to be a free and brave set of people. They were armed with long wicker shields
and lances. The banks before named on which they were drawn up were a hundred
yards or more distant from the river, and the single road which was visible was
one leading upwards and looking like a regular artificially constructed highway.
At this point the Hellenes endeavoured to cross, but on their making the attempt
the water proved 6 to be more than breast-deep, and the river bed was rough with
great slippery stones, and as to holding their arms in the water, it was out of
the question–the stream swept them away–or if they tried to carry them over
the head, the body was left exposed to the arrows and other missiles; accordingly
they turned back and encamped there by the bank of the river.
At the point where they had themselves been last night, up on the mountains,
they could see the Carduchians collected in large numbers and under arms. A shadow
of deep despair again descended on their souls, whichever way they turned their
eyes–in front lay the river so difficult to ford; over, on the other side, a
new enemy threatening to bar the passage; on the hills behind, the Carduchians
ready to fall upon their rear should they once again attempt to cross. Thus for
this day and night they halted, sunk in perplexity. But Xenophon had a dream.
In his sleep he thought that he was bound in fetters, but these, of their own
accord, fell from off him, so that he was loosed, and could stretch his legs as
freely as he wished[2]. So at the first glimpse of daylight he came to Cheirisophus
and told him that he had hopes that all things would go well, and related to him
his dream.
[2] It is impossible to give the true sense and humour of the passage in English,
depending, as it does, on the double meaning of {diabainein} (1) to cross (a river),
(2) to stride or straddle (of the legs). The army is unable to cross the Centrites;
Xenophon dreams that he is fettered, but the chains drop off his legs and he is
able to stride as freely as ever; next morning the two young men come to him with
the story how they have found themselves able to walk cross the river instead
of having to swim it. It is obvious to Xenophon that the dream is sent from Heaven.
The other was well pleased, and with the first faint gleam of dawn the generals
all were present and did sacrifice; and the victims were favourable in the first
essay. Retiring from the sacrifice, the generals and officers issued an order
to the troops to take their breakfasts; and while Xenophon was taking his, two
young men came running up to him, for every one knew that, breakfasting or supping,
he was always accessible, or that even if asleep any one was welcome to awaken
him who had anything to say bearing on the business of war. 10 What the two young
men had at this time to say was that they had been collecting brushwood for fire,
and had presently espied on the opposite side, in among some rocks which came
down to the river’s brink, an old man and some women and little girls depositing,
as it would appear, bags of clothes in a cavernous rock. When they saw them, it
struck them that it was safe to cross; in any case the enemy’s cavalry could not
approach at this point. So they stripped naked, expecting to have to swim for
it, and with their long knives in their hands began crossing, but going forward
crossed without being wet up to the fork. Once across they captured the clothes,
and came back again.
Accordingly Xenophon at once poured out a libation himself, and bade the two
young fellows fill the cup and pray to the gods, who showed to him this vision
and to them a passage, to bring all other blessings for them to accomplishment.
When he had poured out the libation, he at once led the two young men to Cheirisophus,
and they repeated to him their story. Cheirisophus, on hearing it, offered libations
also, and when they had performed them, they sent a general order to the troops
to pack up ready for starting, while they themselves called a meeting of the generals
and took counsel how they might best effect a passage, so as to overpower the
enemy in front without suffering any loss from the men behind. And they resolved
that Cheirisophus should lead the van and cross with half the army, the other
half still remaining behind under Xenophon, while the baggage animals and the
mob of sutlers were to cross between the two divisions.
When all was duly ordered the move began, the young men pioneering them, and
keeping the river on their left. It was about four furlongs’ march to the crossing,
and as they moved along the bank, the squadrons of cavalry kept pace with them
on the opposite side.
But when they had reached a point in a line with the ford, and the cliff-like
banks of the river, they grounded arms, and first Cheirisophus himself placed
a wreath upon his brows, and throwing off 17 his cloak[3], resumed his arms, passing
the order to all the rest to do the same, and bade the captains form their companies
in open order in deep columns, some to left and some to right of himself. Meanwhile
the soothsayers were slaying a victim over the river, and the enemy were letting
fly their arrows and slingstones; but as yet they were out of range. As soon as
the victims were favourable, all the soldiers began singing the battle hymn, and
with the notes of the paean mingled the shouting of the men accompanied by the
shriller chant of the women, for there were many women[4] in the camp.
[3] Or, “having doffed it,” i.e. the wreath, an action which the soldiers would
perform symbolically, if Grote is right in his interpretation of the passage,
“Hist. of Greece,” vol. ix. p. 137.
[4] Lit. “comrade-women.”
So Cheirisophus with his detachment stepped in. But Xenophon, taking the most
active-bodied of the rearguard, began running back at full speed to the passage
facing the egress into the hills of Armenia, making a feint of crossing at that
point to intercept their cavalry on the river bank. The enemy, seeing Cheirisophus’s
detachment easily crossing the stream, and Xenophon’s men racing back, were seized
with the fear of being intercepted, and fled at full speed in the direction of
the road which emerges from the stream. But when they were come opposite to it
they raced up hill towards their mountains. Then Lycius, who commanded the cavalry,
and Aeschines, who was in command of the division of light infantry attached to
Cheirisophus, no sooner saw them fleeing so lustily than they were after them,
and the soldiers shouted not to fall behind[5], but to follow them right up to
the mountains. Cheirisophus, on getting across, forbore to pursue the cavalry,
but advanced by the bluffs which reached to the river to attack the enemy overhead.
And these, seeing their own cavalry fleeing, seeing also the heavy infantry advancing
upon them, abandoned the heights above the river.
[5] Or, “to stick tight to them and not to be outdone”; or, as others understand,
“the (infantry) soldiers clamoured not to be left behind, but to follow them up
into the mountains.”
Xenophon, as soon as he saw that things were going well on the other 24 side,
fell back with all speed to join the troops engaged in crossing, for by this time
the Carduchians were well in sight, descending into the plain to attack their
rear.
Cheirisophus was in possession of the higher ground, and Lycius, with his little
squadron, in an attempt to follow up the pursuit, had captured some stragglers
of their baggage-bearers, and with them some handsome apparel and drinking-cups.
The baggage animals of the Hellenes and the mob of non-combatants were just about
to cross, when Xenonphon turned his troops right about to face the Carduchians.
Vis-a-vis he formed his line, passing the order to the captains each to form his
company into sections, and to deploy them into line by the left, the captains
of companies and lieutenants in command of sections to advance to meet the Carduchians,
while the rear leaders would keep their position facing the river. But when the
Carduchians saw the rearguard so stript of the mass, and looking now like a mere
handful of men, they advanced all the more quickly, singing certain songs the
while. Then, as matters were safe with him, Cheirisophus sent back the peltasts
and slingers and archers to join Xenophon, with orders to carry out his instructions.
They were in the act of recrossing, when Xenophon, who saw their intention, sent
a messenger across, bidding them wait there at the river’s brink without crossing;
but as soon as he and his detachment began to cross they were to step in facing
him in two flanking divisions right and left of them, as if in the act of crossing;
the javelin men with their javelins on the thong, and the bowmen with their arrows
on the string; but they were not to advance far into the stream. The order passed
to his own men was: “Wait till you are within sling-shot, and the shield rattles,
then sound the paean and charge the enemy. As soon as he turns, and the bugle
from the river sounds for ‘the attack,’ you will face about to the right, the
rear rank leading, and the whole detachment falling back and crossing the river
as quickly as possible, every one preserving his original rank, so as to avoid
tramelling one another: the bravest man is he who gets to the other side first.”
The Carduchians, seeing that the remnant left was the merest handful 30 (for
many even of those whose duty it was to remain had gone off in their anxiety to
protect their beasts of burden, or their personal kit, or their mistresses), bore
down upon them valorously, and opened fire with slingstones and arrows. But the
Hellenes, raising the battle hymn, dashed at them at a run, and they did not await
them; armed well enough for mountain warfare, and with a view to sudden attack
followed by speedy flight, they were not by any means sufficiently equipped for
an engagement at close quarters. At this instant the signal of the bugle was heard.
Its notes added wings to the flight of the barbarians, but the Hellenes turned
right about in the opposite direction, and betook themselves to the river with
what speed they might. Some of the enemy, here a man and there another, perceived,
and running back to the river, let fly their arrows and wounded a few; but the
majority, even when the Hellenes were well across, were still to be seen pursuing
their flight. The detachment which came to meet Xenophon’s men, carried away by
their valour, advanced further than they had need to, and had to cross back again
in the rear of Xenophon’s men, and of these too a few were wounded.
IV
The passage effected, they fell into line about mid-day, and marched 1 through
Armenian territory, one long plain with smooth rolling hillocks, not less than
five parasangs in distance; for owing to the wars of this people with the Carduchians
there were no villages near the river. The village eventually reached was large,
and possessed a palace belonging to the satrap, and most of the houses were crowned
with turrets; provisions were plentiful.
From this village they marched two stages–ten parasangs–until they had surmounted
the sources of the river Tigris; and from this point they marched three stages–fifteen
parasangs–to the river Teleboas. This was a fine stream, though not large, and
there were many villages about it. The district was named Western Armenia. The
lieutenant-governor of it was Tiribazus, the king’s friend, and whenever the latter
paid a visit, he alone had the privilege of mounting the king upon his horse.
This officer rode up to the Hellenes with a body of cavalry, and sending forward
an interpreter, stated that he desired a colloquy with the leaders. The generals
resolved to 5 hear what he had to say; and advancing on their side to within speaking
distance, they demanded what he wanted. He replied that he wished to make a treaty
with them, in accordance with which he on his side would abstain from injuring
the Hellenes, if they would not burn his houses, but merely take such provisions
as they needed. This proposal satisfied the generals, and a treaty was made on
the terms suggested.
From this place they marched three stages–fifteen parasangs–through plain
country, Tiribazus the while keeping close behind with his own forces more than
a mile off. Presently they reached a palace with villages clustered round about
it, which were full of supplies in great variety. But while they were encamping
in the night, there was a heavy fall of snow, and in the morning it was resolved
to billet out the different regiments, with their generals, throughout the villages.
There was no enemy in sight, and the proceeding seemed prudent, owing to the quantity
of snow. In these quarters they had for provisions all the good things there are–sacrificial
beasts, corn, old wines with an exquisite bouqet, dried grapes, and vegetables
of all sorts. But some of the stragglers from the camp reported having seen an
army, and the blaze of many watchfires in the night. Accordingly the generals
concluded that it was not prudent to separate their quarters in this way, and
a resolution was passed to bring the troops together again. After that they reunited,
the more so that the weather promised to be fine with a clear sky; but while they
lay there in open quarters, during the night down came so thick a fall of snow
that it completely covered up the stacks of arms and the men themselves lying
down. It cramped and crippled the baggage animals; and there was great unreadiness
to get up, so gently fell the snow as they lay there warm and comfortable, and
formed a blanket, except where it slipped off the sleepers’ shoulders; and it
was not until Xenophon roused himself to get up, and, without his cloak on[1],
began to split wood, that quickly first one and then another got up, and taking
the log away 12 from him, fell to splitting. Thereat the rest followed suit, got
up, and began kindling fire and oiling their bodies, for there was a scented unguent
to be found there in abundance, which they used instead of oil. It was made from
pig’s fat, sesame, bitter almonds, and turpentine. There was a sweet oil also
to be found, made of the same ingredients.
[1] Or, as we should say, “in his shirt sleeves.” Doubtless he lay with his
{imation} or cloak loosely wrapped round him; as he sprang to his feet he would
throw it off, or it would fall off, and with the simple inner covering of the
{khiton} to protect him, and arms free, he fell to chopping the wood, only half
clad.
After this it was resolved that they must again separate their quarters and
get under cover in the villages. At this news the soldiers, with much joy and
shouting, rushed upon the covered houses and the provisions; but all who in their
blind folly had set fire to the houses when they left them before, now paid the
penalty in the poor quarters they got. From this place one night they sent off
a party under Democrates, a Temenite[2], up into the mountains, where the stragglers
reported having seen watchfires. The leader selected was a man whose judgement
might be depended upon to verify the truth of the matter. With a happy gift to
distinguish between fact and fiction, he had often been successfully appealed
to. He went and reported that he had seen no watchfires, but he had got a man,
whom he brought back with him, carrying a Persian bow and quiver, and a sagaris
or battleaxe like those worn by the Amazons. When asked “from what country he
came,” the prisoner answered that he was “a Persian, and was going from the army
of Tiribazus to get provisions.” They next asked him “how large the army was,
and for what object it had been collected.” His answer was that “it consisted
of Tiribazus at the head of his own forces, and aided by some Chalybian and Taochian
mercenaries. Tiribazus had got it together,” he added, “meaning to attack the
Hellenes on the high mountain pass, in a defile which was the sole passage.”
[2] Reading {Temeniten}, i.e. a native of Temenus, a district of Syracuse;
al. {Temniten}, i.e. from Temnus in the Aeolid; al. {Temeniten}, i.e. from Temenum
in the Argolid.
When the generals heard this news, they resolved to collect the troops, and
they set off at once, taking the prisoner to act as guide, and leaving a garrison
behind with Sophaenetus the Stymphalian in 19 command of those who remained in
the camp. As soon as they had begun to cross the hills, the light infantry, advancing
in front and catching sight of the camp, did not wait for the heavy infantry,
but with a loud shout rushed upon the enemy’s entrenchment. The natives, hearing
the din and clatter, did not care to stop, but took rapidly to their heels. But,
for all their expedition, some of them were killed, and as many as twenty horses
were captured, with the tent of Tiribazus, and its contents, silver-footed couches
and goblets, besides certain persons styling themselves the butlers and bakers.
As soon as the generals of the heavy infantry division had learnt the news, they
resolved to return to the camp with all speed, for fear of an attack being made
on the remnant left behind. The recall was sounded and the retreat commenced;
the camp was reached the same day.
V
The next day it was resolved that they should set off with all 1 possible speed,
before the enemy had time to collect and occupy the defile. Having got their kit
and baggage together, they at once began their march through deep snow with several
guides, and, crossing the high pass the same day on which Tiribazus was to have
attacked them, got safely into cantonments. From this point they marched three
desert stages–fifteen parassangs–to the river Euphrates, and crossed it in water
up to the waist. The sources of the river were reported to be at no great distance.
From this place they marched through deep snow over a flat country three stages–fifteen
parasangs[1]. The last of these marches was trying, with the north wind blowing
in their teeth, drying up everything and benumbing the men. Here one of the seers
suggested to them to do sacrifice to Boreas, and sacrifice was done. The effect
was obvious to all in the diminished fierceness of the blast. But there was six
feet of snow, so that many of the baggage animals and slaves were lost, and about
thirty of the men themselves.
[1] Al. “ten,” al. “five.”
They spent the whole night in kindling fire; for there was fortunately no dearth
of wood at the halting-place; only those who came late into camp had no wood.
Accordingly those who had arrived a good while and 5 had kindled fires were not
for allowing these late-comers near the fires, unless they would in return give
a share of their corn or of any other victuals they might have. Here then a general
exchange of goods was set up. Where the fire was kindled the snow melted, and
great trenches formed themselves down to the bare earth, and here it was possible
to measure the depth of the snow.
Leaving these quarters, they marched the whole of the next day over snow, and
many of the men were afflicted with “boulimia” (or hunger-faintness). Xenophon,
who was guarding the rear, came upon some men who had dropt down, and he did not
know what ailed them; but some one who was experienced in such matters suggested
to him that they had evidently got boulimia; and if they got something to eat,
they would revive. Then he went the round of the baggage train, and laying an
embargo on any eatables he could see, doled out with his own hands, or sent off
other able-bodied agents to distribute to the sufferers, who as soon as they had
taken a mouthful got on their legs again and continued the march.
On and on they marched, and about dusk Cheirisophus reached a village, and
surprised some women and girls who had come from the village to fetch water at
the fountain outside the stockade. These asked them who they were. The interpreters
answered for them in Persian: “They were on their way from the king to the satrap;”
in reply to which the women gave them to understand that the satrap was not at
home, but was away a parasang farther on. As it was late they entered with the
water-carriers within the stockade to visit the headman of the village. Accordingly
Cheirisophus and as many of the troops as were able got into cantonments there,
while the rest of the soldiers–those namely who were unable to complete the march–had
to spend the night out, without food and without fire; under the circumstances
some of the men perished.
On the heels of the army hung perpetually bands of the enemy, snatching away
disabled baggage animals and fighting with each other over the carcases. And in
its track not seldom were left to their fate disabled soldiers, struck down with
snow-blindness or with toes 12 moritified by frostbite. As to the eyes, it was
some alleviation against the snow to march with something black before them; for
the feet, the only remedy was to keep in motion without stopping for an instant,
and to loose the sandal at night. If they went to sleep with the sandals on, the
thong worked into the feet, and the sandals were frozen fast to them. This was
partly due to the fact that, since their old sandals had failed, they wore untanned
brogues made of newly-flayed ox-hides. It was owing to some such dire necessity
that a party of men fell out and were left behind, and seeing a black-looking
patch of ground where the snow had evidently disappeared, they conjectured it
must have been melted; and this was actually so, owing to a spring of some sort
which was to be seen steaming up in a dell close by. To this they had turned aside
and sat down, and were loth to go a step further. But Xenophon, with his rearguard,
perceived them, and begged and implored them by all manner of means not to be
left behind, telling them that the enemy were after them in large packs pursuing;
and he ended by growing angry. They merely bade him put a knife to their throats;
not one step farther would they stir. Then it seemed best to frighten the pursuing
enemy if possible, and prevent their falling upon the invalids. It was already
dusk, and the pursuers were advancing with much noise and hubbub, wrangling and
disputing over their spoils. Then all of a sudden the rearguard, in the plenitude
of health and strength[2], sprang up out of their lair and run upon the enemy,
whilst those weary wights[3] bawled out as loud as their sick throats could sound,
and clashed their spears against their shields; and the enemy in terror hurled
themselves through the snow into the dell, and not one of them ever uttered a
sound again.
[2] Hug, after Rehdantz, would omit the words “in the plenitude of health and
strength.”
[3] Or, “the invalids.”
Xenophon and his party, telling the sick folk that next day people would come
for them, set off, and before they had gone half a mile they fell in with some
soldiers who had laid down to rest on the snow with their cloaks wrapped round
them, but never a guard was established, and they made them get up. Their explanation
was that 19 those in front would not move on. Passing by this group he sent forward
the strongest of his light infantry in advance, with orders to find out what the
stoppage was. They reported that the whole army lay reposing in such fashion.
That being so, Xenophon’s men had nothing for it but to bivouac in the open air
also, without fire and supperless, merely posting what pickets they could under
the circumstances. But as soon as it drew towards day, Xenophon despatched the
youngest of his men to the sick folk behind, with orders to make them get up and
force them to proceed. Meanwhile Cheirisophus had sent some of his men quartered
in the village to enquire how they fared in the rear; they were overjoyed to see
them, and handed over the sick folk to them to carry into camp, while they themselves
continued their march forward, and ere twenty furlongs were past reached the village
in which Cheirisophus was quartered. As soon as the two divisions were met, the
resolution was come to that it would be safe to billet the regiments throughout
the villages; Cheirisophus remained where he was, while the rest drew lots for
the villages in sight, and then, with their several detachments, marched off to
their respective destinations.
It was here that Polycrates, an Athenian and captain of a company, asked for
leave of absence–he wished to be off on a quest of his own; and putting himself
at the head of the active men of the division, he ran to the village which had
been allotted to Xenophon. He surprised within it the villagers with their headman,
and seventeen young horses which were being reared as a tribute for the king,
and, last of all, the headman’s own daughter, a young bride only eight days wed.
Her husband had gone off to chase hares, and so he escaped being taken with the
other villagers. The houses were underground structures with an aperture like
the mouth of a well by which to enter, but they were broad and spacious below.
The entrance for the beasts of burden was dug out, but the human occupants descended
by a ladder. In these dwellings were to be found goats and sheep and cattle, and
cocks and hens, with their various progeny. The flocks and herds were all reared
under cover upon green food. There were stores within of wheat and barley and
vegetables, and wine made from barley in great big bowls; 26 the grains of barley
malt lay floating in the beverage up to the lip of the vessel, and reeds lay in
them, some longer, some shorter, without joints; when you were thirsty you must
take one of these into your mouth, and suck. The beverage without admixture of
water was very strong, and of a delicious flavour to certain palates, but the
taste must be acquired.
Xenophon made the headman of the village his guest at supper, and bade him
keep a good heart; so far from robbing him of his children, they would fill his
house full of good things in return for what they took before they went away;
only he must set them an example, and discover some blessing or other for the
army, until they found themselves with another tribe. To this he readily assented,
and with the utmost cordiality showed them the cellar where the wine was buried.
For this night then, having taken up their several quarters as described, they
slumbered in the midst of plenty, one and all, with the headman under watch and
ward, and his children with him safe in sight.
But on the following day Xenophon took the headman and set off to Cheirisophus,
making a round of the villages, and at each place turning in to visit the different
parties. Everywhere alike he found them faring sumptuously and merry-making. There
was not a single village where they did not insist on setting a breakfast before
them, and on the same table were spread half a dozen dishes at least, lamb, kid,
pork, veal, fowls, with various sorts of bread, some of wheat and some of barley.
When, as an act of courtesy, any one wished to drink his neighbour’s health, he
would drag him to the big bowl, and when there, he must duck his head and take
a long pull, drinking like an ox. The headman, they insisted everywere, must accept
as a present whatever he liked to have. But he would accept nothing, except where
he espied any of his relations, when he made a point of taking them off, him or
her, with himself.
When they reached Cheirisophus they found a similar scene. There too 33 the
men were feasting in their quarters, garlanded with whisps of hay and dry grass,
and Armenian boys were playing the part of waiters in barbaric costumes, only
they had to point out by gesture to the boys what they were to do, like deaf and
dumb. After the first formalities, when Cheirisophus and Xenophon had greeted
one another like bosom friends, they interrogated the headman in common by means
of the Persian-speaking interpreter. “What was the country?” they asked: he replied,
“Armenia.” And again, “For whom are the horses being bred?” “They are tribute
for the king,” he replied. “And the neighbouring country?” “Is the land of the
Chalybes,” he said; and he described the road which led to it. So for the present
Xenophon went off, taking the headman back with him to his household and friends.
He also made him a present of an oldish horse which he had got; he had heard that
the headman was a priest of the sun, and so he could fatten up the beast and sacrifice
him; otherwise he was afraid it might die outright, for it had been injured by
the long marching. For himself he took his pick of the colts, and gave a colt
apiece to each of his fellow-generals and officers. The horses here were smaller
than the Persian horses, but much more spirited. It was here too that their friend
the headman explained to them, how they should wrap small bags or sacks around
the feet of the horses and other cattle when marching through the snow, for without
such precautions the creatures sank up to their bellies.
VI
When a week had passed, on the eighth day Xenophon delivered over the 1 guide
(that is to say, the village headman) to Cheirisophus. He left the headman’s household
safe behind in the village, with the exception of his son, a lad in the bloom
of youth. This boy was entrusted to Episthenes of Amphipolis to guard; if the
headman proved himself a good guide, he was to take away his son also at his departure.
They finally made his house the repository of all the good things they could contrive
to get together; then they broke up their camp and commenced to march, the headman
guiding them through the snow unfettered. When they had reached the third stage
Cheirisophus flew 2 into a rage with him, because he had not brought them to any
villages. The headman pleaded that there were none in this part. Cheirisophus
struck him, but forgot to bind him, and the end of it was that the headman ran
away in the night and was gone, leaving his son behind him. This was the sole
ground of difference between Cheirisophus and Xenophon during the march, this
combination of ill-treatment and neglect in the case of the guide. As to the boy,
Episthenes conceived a passion for him, and took him home with him, and found
in him the most faithful of friends.
After this they marched seven stages at the rate of five parasangs a day, to
the banks of the river Phasis[1], which is a hundred feet broad: and thence they
marched another couple of stages, ten parasangs; but at the pass leading down
into the plain there appeared in front of them a mixed body of Chalybes and Taochians
and Phasianians. When Cheirisophus caught sight of the enemy on the pass at a
distance of about three or four miles, he ceased marching, not caring to approach
the enemy with his troops in column, and he passed down the order to the others:
to deploy their companies to the front, that the troops might form into line.
As soon as the rearguard had come up, he assembled the generals and officers,
and addressed them: “The enemy, as you see, are in occupation of the mountain
pass, it is time we should consider how we are to make the best fight to win it.
My opinion is, that we should give orders to the troops to take their morning
meal, whilst we deliberate whether we should cross the mountains to-day or to-morrow.”
“My opinion,” said Cleanor, “is, that as soon as we have breakfasted, we should
arm for the fight and attack the enemy, without loss of time, for if we fritter
away to-day, the enemy who are now content to look at us, will grow bolder, and
with their growing courage, depend upon it, others more numerous will join them.”
[1] Probably a tributary of the Araxes = modern Pasin-Su.
After him Xenophon spoke: “This,” he said, “is how I see the matter; if fight
we must, let us make preparation to sell our lives dearly, but if we desire to
cross with the greatest ease, the point to consider is, how we may get the fewest
wounds and throw away the smallest number of good men. Well then, that part of
the mountain 11 which is visible stretches nearly seven miles. Where are the men
posted to intercept us? except at the road itself, they are nowhere to be seen.
It is much better to try if possible to steal a point of this desert mountain
unobserved, and before they know where we are, secure the prize, than to fly at
a strong position and an enemy thoroughly prepared. Since it is much easier to
march up a mountain without fighting than to tramp along a level when assailants
are at either hand; and provided he has not to fight, a man will see what lies
at his feet much more plainly even at night than in broad daylight in the midst
of battle; and a rough road to feet that roam in peace may be pleasanter than
a smooth surface with the bullets whistling about your ears[2]. Nor is it so impossible,
I take it, to steal a march, since it is open to us to go by night, when we cannot
be seen, and to fall back so far that they will never notice us. In my opinion,
however, if we make a feint of attacking here, we shall find the mountain chain
all the more deserted elsewhere, since the enemy will be waiting for us here in
thicker swarm.
[2] Or, more lit., “with the head a mark for missiles.”
“But what right have I to be drawing conclusions about stealing in your presence,
Cheirisophus? for you Lacedaemonians, as I have often been told, you who belong
to the ‘peers,’ practise stealing from your boyhood up; and it is no disgrace
but honourable rather to steal, except such things as the law forbids; and in
order, I presume, to stimulate your sense of secretiveness, and to make you master
thieves, it is lawful for you further to get a whipping if you are caught. Now
then you have a fine opportunity of displaying your training. But take care we
are not caught stealing over the mountain, or we shall catch it ourselves.” “For
all that,” retorted Cheirisophus, “I have heard that you Athenians are clever
hands at stealing the public moneys; and that too though there is a fearful risk
for the person so employed; but, I am told, it is your best men who are addicted
to it; if it is your best men who are thought worthy to rule. So it is a fine
opportunity for yourself also, Xenophon, to exhibit your education.” 17 “And I,”
replied Xenophon, “am ready to take the rear division, as soon as we have supped,
and seize the mountain chain. I have already got guides, for the light troops
laid an ambuscade, and seized some of the cut-purse vagabonds who hung on our
rear. I am further informed by them that the mountain is not inaccessible, but
is grazed by goats and cattle, so that if we can once get hold of any portion
of it, there will be no difficulty as regards our animals–they can cross. As
to the enemy, I expect they will not even wait for us any longer, when they once
see us on a level with themselves on the heights, for they do not even at present
care to come down and meet us on fair ground.” Cheirisophus answered: “But why
should you go and leave your command in the rear? Send others rather, unless a
band of volunteers will present themselves.” Thereupon Aristonymus the Methydrian
came forward with some heavy infantry, and Nicomachus the Oetean with another
body of light troops, and they made an agreement to kindle several watch-fires
as soon as they held the heights. The arrangements made, they breakfasted; and
after breakfast Cheirisophus advanced the whole army ten furlongs closer towards
the enemy, so as to strengthen the impression that he intended to attack them
at that point.
But as soon as they had supped and night had fallen, the party under orders
set off and occupied the mountain, while the main body rested where they were.
Now as soon as the enemy perceived that the mountain was taken, they banished
all thought of sleep, and kept many watch-fires blazing throughout the night.
But at break of day Cheirisophus offered sacrifice, and began advancing along
the road, while the detachment which held the mountain advanced pari passu by
the high ground. The larger mass of the enemy, on his side, remained still on
the mountain-pass, but a section of them turned to confront the detachment on
the heights. Before the main bodies had time to draw together, the detachment
on the height came to close quarters, and the Hellenes were victorious and gave
chase. Meanwhile the light division of the Hellenes, issuing from the plain, were
rapidly advancing against the serried lines of the enemy, whilst Cheirisophus
followed up with his heavy infantry at quick march. But the enemy on the road
25 no sooner saw their higher division being worsted than they fled, and some
few of them were slain, and a vast number of wicker shields were taken, which
the Hellenes hacked to pieces with their short swords and rendered useless. So
when they had reached the summit of the pass, they sacrificed and set up a trophy,
and descending into the plain, reached villages abounding in good things of every
kind.
VII
After this they marched into the country of the Taochians five 1 stages–thirty
parasangs–and provisions failed; for the Taochians lived in strong places, into
which they had carried up all their stores. Now when the army arrived before one
of these strong places–a mere fortress, without city or houses, into which a
motley crowd of men and women and numerous flocks and herds were gathered–Cheirisophus
attacked at once. When the first regiment fell back tired, a second advanced,
and again a third, for it was impossible to surround the place in full force,
as it was encircled by a river. Presently Xenophon came up with the rearguard,
consisting of both light and heavy infantry, whereupon Cheirisophus halted him
with the words: “In the nick of time you have come; we must take this place, for
the troops have no provisions, unless we take it.” Thereupon they consulted together,
and to Xenophon’s inquiry, “What it was which hindered their simply walking in?”
Cheirisophus replied, “There is just this one narrow approach which you see, but
when we attempt to pass it by they roll down volleys of stones from yonder overhanging
crag,” pointing up, “and this is the state in which you find yourself, if you
chance to be caught;” and he pointed to some poor fellows with their legs or ribs
crushed to bits. “But when they have expended their ammunition,” said Xenophon,
“there is nothing else, is there, to hinder our passing? Certainly, except yonder
handful of fellows, there is no one in front of us that we can see; and of them,
only two or three apparently are armed, and the distance to be traversed under
fire is, as your eyes will tell you, about one hundred and fifty feet as near
as can be, and of this space the first hundred is thickly covered with great pines
at intervals; under cover of these, what harm can come to our men from a pelt
of stones, flying 6 or rolling? So then, there is only fifty feet left to cross,
during a lull of stones.” “Ay,” said Cheirisophus, “but with our first attempt
to approach the bush a galling fire of stones commences.” “The very thing we want,”
said the other, “for they will use up their ammunition all the quicker; but let
us select a point from which we shall have only a brief space to run across, if
we can, and from which it will be easier to get back, if we wish.”
Thereupon Cheirisophus and Xenophon set out with Callimachus the Parrhasian,
the captain in command of the officers of the rearguard that day; the rest of
the captains remained out of danger. That done, the next step was for a party
of about seventy men to get away under the trees, not in a body, but one by one,
every one using his best precaution; and Agasis the Stymphalian, and Aristonymous
the Methydrian, who were also officers of the rearguard, were posted as supports
outside the trees; for it was not possible for more than a single company to stand
safely within the trees. Here Callimachus hit upon a pretty contrivance–he ran
forward from the tree under which he was posted two or three paces, and as soon
as the stones came whizzing, he retired easily, but at each excursion more than
ten wagon-loads of rocks were expended. Agasias, seeing how Callimachus was amusing
himself, and the whole army looking on as spectators, was seized with the fear
that he might miss his chance of being first to run the gauntlet of the enemy’s
fire and get into the place. So, without a word of summons to his neighbour, Aristonymous,
or to Eurylochus of Lusia, both comrades of his, or to any one else, off he set
on his own account, and passed the whole detachment. But Callimachus, seeing him
tearing past, caught hold of his shield by the rim, and in the meantime Aristonymous
the Methydrian ran past both, and after him Eurylochus of Lusia; for they were
one and all aspirants to valour, and in that high pursuit, each was the eager
rival of the rest. So in this strife of honour, the three of them took the fortress,
and when they had once rushed in, not a stone more was hurled from overhead.
And here a terrible spectacle displayed itself: the women first cast their
infants down the cliff, and then they cast themselves after 13 their fallen little
ones, and the men likewise. In such a scene, Aeneas the Stymphalian, an officer,
caught sight of a man with a fine dress about to throw himself over, and seized
hold of him to stop him; but the other caught him to his arms, and both were gone
in an instant headlong down the crags, and were killed. Out of this place the
merest handful of human beings were taken prisoners, but cattle and asses in abundance
and flocks of sheep.
From this place they marched through the Chalybes[1] seven stages, fifty parasangs.
These were the bravest men whom they encountered on the whole march, coming cheerily
to close quarters with them. They wore linen cuirasses reaching to the groin,
and instead of the ordinary “wings” or basques, a thickly-plaited fringe of cords.
They were also provided with greaves and helmets, and at the girdle a short sabre,
about as long as the Laconian dagger, with which they cut the throats of those
they mastered, and after severing the head from the trunk they would march along
carrying it, singing and dancing, when they drew within their enemy’s field of
view. They carried also a spear fifteen cubits long, lanced at one end[2]. This
folk stayed in regular townships, and whenever the Hellenes passed by they invariably
hung close on their heels fighting. They had dwelling-places in their fortresses,
and into them they had carried up their supplies, sot hat the Hellenes could get
nothing from this district, but supported themselves on the flocks and herds they
had taken from the Taochians. After this the Hellenes reached the river Harpasus,
which was four hundred feet broad. Hence they marched through the Scythenians
four stages–twenty parasangs–through a long level country to more villages,
among which they halted three days, and got in supplies.
[1] These are the Armeno-Chalybes, so called by Pliny in contradistinction
to another mountain tribe in Pontus so named, who were famous for their forging,
and from whom steel received its Greek name {khalups}. With these latter we shall
make acquaintance later on.
[2] I.e. with a single point or spike only, the Hellenic spear having a spike
at the butt end also.
Passing on from thence in four stages of twenty parasangs, they 19 reached
a large and prosperous well-populated city, which went by the name of Gymnias[3],
from which the governor of the country sent them a guide to lead them through
a district hostile to his own. This guide told them that within five days he would
lead them to a place from which they would see the sea, “and,” he added, “if I
fail of my word, you are free to take my life.” Accordingly he put himself at
their head; but he no sooner set foot in the country hostile to himself than he
fell to encouraging them to burn and harry the land; indeed his exhortations were
so earnest, it was plain that it was for this he had come, and not out of the
good-will he bore the Hellenes.
[3] Gymnias is supposed (by Grote, “Hist. of Greece,” vol. ix. p. 161) to be
the same as that which is now called Gumisch-Kana–perhaps “at no great distance
from Baibut,” Tozer, “Turkish Armenia,” p. 432. Others have identified it with
Erzeroum, others with Ispir.
On the fifth day they reached the mountain, the name of which was Theches[4].
No sooner had the men in front ascended it and caught sight of the sea than a
great cry arose, and Xenophon, in the rearguard, catching the sound of it, conjectured
that another set of enemies must surely be attacking in front; for they were followed
by the inhabitants of the country, which was all aflame; indeed the rearguard
had killed some and captured others alive by laying an ambuscade; they had taken
also about twenty wicker shields, covered with the raw hides of shaggy oxen.
[4] Some MSS. give “the sacred mountain.” The height in question has been identified
with “the ridge called Tekieh-Dagh to the east of Gumisch-Kana, nearer to the
sea than that place” (Grote, ib. p. 162), but the exact place from which they
caught sight of the sea has not been identified as yet, and other mountain ranges
have been suggested.
But as the shout became louder and nearer, and those who from time to time
came up, began racing at the top of their speed towards the shouters, and the
shouting continually recommenced with yet greater volume as the numbers increased,
Xenophon settled in his mind that something extraordinary must have happened,
so he mounted his horse, and taking with him Lycius and the cavalry, he galloped
to the rescue. Presently they could hear the soldiers shouting and passing on
the joyful word, “The sea! the sea!”
Thereupon they began running, rearguard and all, and the baggage 24 animals
and horses came galloping up. But when they had reached the summit, then indeed
they fell to embracing one another–generals and officers and all–and the tears
trickled down their cheeks. And on a sudden, some one, whoever it was, having
passed down the order, the soldiers began bringing stones and erecting a great
cairn, whereon they dedicated a host of untanned skins, and staves, and captured
wicker shields, and with his own hand the guide hacked the shields to pieces,
inviting the rest to follow his example. After this the Hellenes dismissed the
guide with a present raised from the common store, to wit, a horse, a silver bowl,
a Persian dress, and ten darics; but what he most begged to have were their rings,
and of these he got several from the soldiers. So, after pointing out to them
a village where they would find quarters, and the road by which they would proceed
towards the land of the Macrones, as evening fell, he turned his back upon them
in the night and was gone.
VIII
From this point the Hellenes marched through the country of the 1 Macrones
three stages–ten parasangs, and on the first day they reached the river, which
formed the boundary between the land of the Macrones and the land of the Scythenians.
Above them, on their right, they had a country of the sternest and ruggedest character,
and on their left another river, into which the frontier river discharges itself,
and which they must cross. This was thickly fringed with trees which, though not
of any great bulk, were closely packed. As soon as they came up to them, the Hellenes
proceeded to cut them down in their haste to get out of the place as soon as possible.
But the Macrones, armed with wicker shields and lances and hair tunics, were already
drawn up to receive them opposite the crossing. They were cheering one another
on, and kept up a steady pelt of stones into the river, though they failed to
reach the other side or do any harm.
At this juncture one of the light infantry came up to Xenophon; he had been,
he said, a slave at Athens, and he wished to tell him that he recognised the speech
of these people. “I think,” said he, “that this must be my native country, and
if there is no objection I will have a talk with them.” “No objection at all,”
replied Xenophon, “pray talk 5 to them, and ask them first, who they are.” In
answer to this question they said, “they were Macrones.” “Well, then,” said he,
“ask them why they are drawn up in battle and want to fight with us.” They answered,
“Because you are invading our country.” The generals bade him say: “If so, it
is with not intention certainly of doing it or you any harm: but we have been
at war with the king, and are now returning to Hellas, and all we want is to reach
the sea.” The others asked, “Were they willing to give them pledges to that effect?”
They replied: “Yes, they were ready to give and receive pledges to that effect.”
Then the Macrones gave a barbaric lance to the Hellenes, and the Hellenes a Hellenic
lance to them: “for these,” they said, “would serve as pledges,” and both sides
called upon the gods to witness.
After the pledges were exchanged, the Macrones fell to vigorously hewing down
trees and constructing a road to help them across, mingling freely with the Hellenes
and fraternising in their midst, and they afforded them as good as market as they
could, and for three days conducted them on their march, until they had brought
them safely to the confines of the Colchians. At this point they were confronted
by a great mountain chain, which however was accessible, and on it the Colchians
were drawn up for battle. In the first instance, the Hellenes drew up opposite
in line of battle, as though they were minded to assault the hill in that order;
but afterwards the generals determined to hold a council of war, and consider
how to make the fairest fight.
Accordingly Xenophon said: “I am not for advancing in line, but advise to form
companies by columns. To begin with, the line,” he urged, “would be scattered
and thrown into disorder at once; for we shall find the mountain full of inequalities,
it will be pathless here and easy to traverse there. The mere fact of first having
formed in line, and then seeing the line thrown into disorder, must exercise a
disheartening effect. Again, if we advance several deep, the enemy will none the
less overlap us, and turn their superfluous numbers to account as best they like;
while, if we march in shallow order, we may fully expect our line to be cut through
and through by the thick rain 11 of missiles and rush of men, and if this happen
anywhere along the line, the whole line will equally suffer. No; my notion is
to form columns by companies, covering ground sufficient with spaces between the
companies to allow the last companies of each flank to be outside the enemy’s
flanks. Thus we shall with our extreme companies be outside the enemy’s line,
and the best men at the head of their columns will lead the attack, and every
company will pick its way where the ground is easy; also it will be difficult
for the enemy to force his way into the intervening spaces, when there are companies
on both sides; nor will it be easy for him to cut in twain any individual company
marching in column. If, too, any particular company should be pressed, the neighbouring
company will come to the rescue, or if at any point any single company succeed
in reaching the height, from that moment not one man of the enemy will stand his
ground.”
This proposal was carried, and they formed into columns by companies[1]. Then
Xenophon, returning from the right wing to the left, addressed the soldiers. “Men,”
he said, “these men whom you see in front of you are the sole obstacles still
interposed between us and the haven of our hopes so long deferred. We will swallow
them up whole, without cooking[2], if we can.”
[1] For this formation, see “The Retreat of the Ten Thousand; a military study
for all time,” by Lieut.-General J. L. Vaughan, C.B.
[2] Or, “we will gobble them up raw.” He is thinking of the Homeric line (“Iliad”,
iv. 35) “Perchance wert thou to enter within the gates and long walls and devour
Priam raw, and Priam’s sons and all the Trojans, then mightest thou assuage thine
anger.”–Leaf.
The several divisions fell into position, the companies were formed into columns,
and the result was a total of something like eighty companies of heavy infantry,
each company consisting on an average of a hundred men. The light infantry and
bowmen were arranged in three divisions–two outside to support the left and the
right respectively, and the third in the centre–each division consisting of about
six hundred men[3].
[3] This suggests 1800 as the total of the peltasts, 8000 as the total of the
hoplites, but the companies were probably not limited to 100, and under “peltasts”
were probably included other light troops.
Before starting, the generals passed the order to offer prayer; and 16 with
the prayer and battle hymn rising from their lips they commenced their advance.
Cheirisophus and Xenophon, and the light infantry with them, advanced outside
the enemy’s line to right and left, and the enemy, seeing their advance, made
an effort to keep parallel and confront them, but in order to do so, as he extended
partly to right and partly to left, he was pulled to pieces, and there was a large
space or hollow left in the centre of his line. Seeing them separate thus, the
light infantry attached to the Arcadian battalion, under command of Aeschines,
an Arcarnanian, mistook the movement for flight, and with a loud shout rushed
on, and these were the first to scale the mountain summit; but they were closely
followed up by the Arcadian heavy infantry, under command of Cleanor of Orchomenus.
When they began running in that way, the enemy stood their ground no longer,
but betook themselves to flight, one in one direction, one in another, and the
Hellenes scaled the hill and found quarters in numerous villages which contained
supplies in abundance. Here, generally speaking, there was nothing to excite their
wonderment, but the numbers of bee-hives were indeed astonishing, and so were
certain properties of the honey[4]. The effect upon the soldiers who tasted the
combs was, that they all went for the nonce quite off their heads, and suffered
from vomiting and diarrhoea, with a total inability to stand steady on their legs.
A small dose produced a condition not unlike violent drunkenness, a large one
an attack very like a fit of madness, and some dropped down, apparently at death’s
door. So they lay, hundreds of them, as if there had been a great defeat, a prey
to the cruellest despondency. But the next day, none had died; and almost at the
same hour of the day at which they had eaten they recovered their senses, and
on the third or fourth day got on their legs again like convalescents after a
severe course of medical treatment.
[4] “Modern travellers attest the existence, in these regions, of honey intoxicating
and poisonous. . . . They point out the Azalea Pontica as the flower from which
the bees imbibe this peculiar quality.”–Grote, “Hist. of Greece,” vol. ix. p.
155.
From this place they marched on two stages–seven parasangs–and 22 reached
the sea at Trapezus[5], a populous Hellenic city on the Euxine Sea, a colony of
the Sinopeans, in the territory of the Colchians. Here they halted about thirty
days in the villages of the Colchians, which they used as a base of operations
to ravage the whole territory of Colchis. The men of Trapezus supplied the army
with a market, entertained them, and gave them, as gifts of hospitality, oxen
and wheat and wine. Further, they negotiated with them in behalf of their neighbours
the Colchians, who dwelt in the plain for the most part, and from this folk also
came gifts of hospitality in the shape of cattle. And now the Hellenes made preparation
for the sacrifice which they had vowed, and a sufficient number of cattle came
in for them to offer thank-offerings for safe guidance to Zeus the Saviour, and
to Heracles[6], and to the other gods, according to their vows. They instituted
also a gymnastic contest on the mountain side, just where they were quartered,
and chose Dracontius, a Spartan (who had been banished from home when a lad, having
unintentionally slain another boy with a blow of his dagger), to superintend the
course, and be president of the games
[5] Trebizond.
[6] Or, “to sacrifice to Zeus the Preserver, and to Heracles thank-offerings
for safe guidance,” Heracles “the conductor” having special sympathy with wanderers.
As soon as the sacrifices were over, they handed over the hides of the beasts
to Dracontius, and bade him lead the way to his racecourse. He merely waved his
hand and pointed to where they were standing, and said, “There, this ridge is
just the place for running, anywhere, everywhere.” “But how,” it was asked, “will
they manage to wrestle on the hard scrubby ground?” “Oh! worse knocks for those
who are thrown,” the president replied. There was a mile race for boys, the majority
being captive lads; and for the long race more than sixty Cretans competed; there
was wrestling, boxing, and the pankration[7]. Altogether it was a beautiful spectacle.
There was a large number of entries, and the emulation, with their companions,
male and female, 27 standing as spectators, was immense. There was horse-racing
also; the riders had to gallop down a steep incline to the sea, and then turn
and come up again to the altar, and on the descent more than half rolled head
over heels, and then back they came toiling up the tremendous steep, scarcely
out of a walking pace. Loud were the shouts, the laughter, and the cheers.
[7] The pankration combined both wrestling and boxing.
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