Chapter 2

But when the right moment seemed to him to have come, at which he should begin his march into the interior, the pretext which he put forward was his desire to expel the Pisidians utterly out of the country; and he began collecting both his Asiatic and his Hellenic armaments, avowedly against that people. From Sardis in each direction his orders sped: to Clearchus, to join him there with the whole of his army; to Aristippus, to come to terms with those at home, and to despatch to him the troops in his employ; to Xenias the Arcadian, who was acting as general-in-chief of the foreign troops in the cities, to present himself with all the men available, excepting only those who were actually needed to garrison the citadels. He next summoned the troops at present engaged in the siege of Miletus, and called upon the exiles to follow him on his intended expedition, promising them that if he were successful in his object, he would not pause until he had reinstated them in their native city. To this invitation they hearkened gladly; they believed in him; and with their arms they presented themselves at Sardis. So, too, Xenias arrived at Sardis with the contingent from the cities, four thousand hoplites; Proxenus, also, with fifteen hundred hoplites and five hundred light-armed troops; Sophaenetus the Stymphalian, with one thousand hoplites; Socrates the Achaean, with five hundred hoplites; while the Megarion Pasion came with three hundred hoplites and three hundred peltasts¹. This latter officer, as well as Socrates, belonged to the force engaged against Miletus. These all joined him at Sardis.

When he thought the right moment had come to march into the interior, he claimed he wanted to drive the Pisidians completely out of the country. He began gathering his Asiatic and Hellenic forces, openly declaring that they were meant to fight the Pisidians. From Sardis, he sent orders in every direction. He told Clearchus to join him there with his whole army. He ordered Aristippus to make peace with his opponents at home and send him the troops in his service. He told Xenias the Arcadian, the commander of the foreign troops in the cities, to come with all available men. Xenias was to leave behind only those needed to guard the citadels. He then summoned the troops besieging Miletus and called on the exiles to join his planned expedition. He promised that if he achieved his goal, he would not stop until he had restored them to their native city. They gladly accepted. They believed him and came to Sardis with their weapons. Xenias also arrived at Sardis with the troops from the cities, four thousand hoplites. Proxenus brought fifteen hundred hoplites and five hundred light-armed troops. Sophaenetus the Stymphalian brought one thousand hoplites, and Socrates the Achaean brought five hundred. Pasion of Megara came with three hundred hoplites and three hundred peltasts¹. Both Pasion and Socrates had belonged to the force fighting against Miletus. All of them joined him at Sardis.

But Tissaphernes did not fail to note these proceedings. An equipment so large pointed to something more than an invasion of Pisidia: so he argued; and with what speed he might, he set off to the king, attended by about five hundred horse. The king, on his side, had no sooner heard from Tissaphernes of Cyrus's great armament, than he began to make counter-preparations.

But Tissaphernes noticed what was happening. He reasoned that such a large force was meant for more than an invasion of Pisidia. So he set off for the king as quickly as he could, accompanied by about five hundred horsemen. As soon as the king heard from Tissaphernes about Cyrus's great army, he began preparing to counter it.

Thus Cyrus, with the troops which I have named, set out from Sardis, and marched on and on through Lydia three stages, making two-and-twenty parasangs², to the river Maeander. That river is two hundred feet³ broad, and was spanned by a bridge consisting of seven boats. Crossing it, he marched through Phrygia a single stage, of eight parasangs, to Colossae, an inhabited city⁴, prosperous and large. Here he remained seven days, and was joined by Menon the Thessalian, who arrived with one thousand hoplites and five hundred peltasts, Dolopes, Aenianes, and Olynthians. From this place he marched three stages, twenty parasangs in all, to Celaenae, a populous city of Phrygia, large and prosperous. Here Cyrus owned a palace and a large park⁵ full of wild beasts, which he used to hunt on horseback, whenever he wished to give himself or his horses exercise. Through the midst of the park flows the river Maeander, the sources of which are within the palace buildings, and it flows through the city of Celaenae. The great king also has a palace in Celaenae, a strong place, on the sources of another river, the Marsyas, at the foot of the acropolis. This river also flows through the city, discharging itself into the Maeander, and is five-and-twenty feet broad. Here is the place where Apollo is said to have flayed Marsyas, when he had conquered him in the contest of skill. He hung up the skin of the conquered man, in the cavern where the spring wells forth, and hence the name of the river, Marsyas. It was on this site that Xerxes, as tradition tells, built this very palace, as well as the citadel of Celaenae itself, on his retreat from Hellas, after he had lost the famous battle. Here Cyrus remained for thirty days, during which Clearchus the Lacedaemonian arrived with one thousand hoplites and eight hundred Thracian peltasts and two hundred Cretan archers. At the same time, also, came Sosis the Syracusian with three thousand hoplites, and Sophaenetus the Arcadian⁶ with one thousand hoplites; and here Cyrus held a review, and numbered his Hellenes in the park, and found that they amounted in all to eleven thousand hoplites and about two thousand peltasts.

Cyrus set out from Sardis with the troops I have named. He marched through Lydia in three stages, covering twenty-two parasangs², to the river Maeander. The river is two hundred feet³ wide and was crossed by a bridge made of seven boats. After crossing it, he marched through Phrygia in a single stage of eight parasangs. He reached Colossae, an inhabited city⁴ that was large and prosperous. He stayed there seven days. During that time, Menon the Thessalian joined him with one thousand hoplites and five hundred peltasts, Dolopes, Aenianes, and Olynthians. From Colossae, Cyrus marched three stages, covering twenty parasangs in all, to Celaenae. Celaenae was a large, prosperous, and populous city of Phrygia. Cyrus owned a palace there and a large park⁵ full of wild beasts. He hunted them on horseback whenever he wanted to give himself or his horses exercise. The river Maeander flows through the middle of the park. Its sources are within the palace buildings, and it flows through the city of Celaenae. The great king also has a palace in Celaenae. It is a strong place at the foot of the acropolis, by the sources of another river, the Marsyas. The Marsyas is twenty-five feet wide and also flows through the city, emptying into the Maeander. This is where Apollo is said to have flayed Marsyas after defeating him in a contest of skill. Apollo hung the defeated man's skin in the cave where the spring rises. The river is named Marsyas for that reason. According to tradition, Xerxes built this very palace and the citadel of Celaenae on this site. He did so during his retreat from Hellas, after losing the famous battle. Cyrus stayed in Celaenae for thirty days. During that time, Clearchus the Lacedaemonian arrived with one thousand hoplites, eight hundred Thracian peltasts, and two hundred Cretan archers. Sosis the Syracusian also arrived with three thousand hoplites, as did Sophaenetus the Arcadian⁶ with one thousand hoplites. Cyrus then reviewed and counted his Hellenes in the park. He found that they numbered eleven thousand hoplites and about two thousand peltasts in all.

From this place he continued his march two stages—ten parasangs—to the populous city of Peltae, where he remained three days; while Xenias, the Arcadian, celebrated the Lycaea⁷ with sacrifice, and instituted games. The prizes were headbands of gold; and Cyrus himself was a spectator of the contest. From this place the march was continued two stages—twelve parasangs—to Ceramon-agora, a populous city, the last on the confines of Mysia. Thence a march of three stages—thirty parasangs—brought him to Caystru-pedion⁸, a populous city. Here Cyrus halted five days; and the soldiers, whose pay was now more than three months in arrear, came several times to the palace gates demanding their dues; while Cyrus put them off with fine words and expectations, but could not conceal his vexation, for it was not his fashion to stint payment, when he had the means. At this point Epyaxa, the wife of Syennesis, the king of the Cilicians, arrived on a visit to Cyrus; and it was said that Cyrus received a large gift of money from the queen. At this date, at any rate, Cyrus gave the army four months' pay. The queen was accompanied by a bodyguard of Cilicians and Aspendians; and, if report speaks truly, Cyrus had intimate relations with the queen.

From there, Cyrus marched two stages, ten parasangs, to the populous city of Peltae. He stayed there for three days. During that time, Xenias, the Arcadian, celebrated the Lycaea⁷ with sacrifices and organized games. The prizes were gold headbands, and Cyrus himself watched the contest. From there, the march continued two stages, twelve parasangs, to Ceramon-agora, a populous city. It was the last city on the borders of Mysia. A march of three stages, thirty parasangs, brought him from there to Caystru-pedion⁸, a populous city. Cyrus stayed there for five days. The soldiers were now owed more than three months' pay. They came to the palace gates several times to demand it. Cyrus put them off with reassuring words and promises, but he could not hide his frustration. When he had the means, he was not in the habit of withholding pay. At this point, Epyaxa, the wife of Syennesis, the king of the Cilicians, came to visit Cyrus. People said that Cyrus received a large gift of money from the queen. At any rate, Cyrus gave the army four months' pay at this time. The queen was accompanied by a bodyguard of Cilicians and Aspendians. If the reports are true, Cyrus had intimate relations with her.

From this place he marched two stages—ten parasangs—to Thymbrium, a populous city. Here, by the side of the road, is the spring of Midas, the king of Phrygia, as it is called, where Midas, as the story goes, caught the satyr by drugging the spring with wine. From this place he marched two stages—ten parasangs—to Tyriaeum, a populous city. Here he halted three days; and the Cilician queen, according to the popular account, begged Cyrus to exhibit his armament for her amusement. The latter being only too glad to make such an exhibition, held a review of the Hellenes and barbarians in the plain. He ordered the Hellenes to draw up their lines and post themselves in their customary battle order, each general marshalling his own battalion. Accordingly they drew up four-deep. The right was held by Menon and those with him; the left by Clearchus and his men; the centre by the remaining generals with theirs. Cyrus first inspected the barbarians, who marched past in troops of horses and companies of infantry. He then inspected the Hellenes; driving past them in his chariot, with the queen in her carriage. And they all had brass helmets and purple tunics, and greaves, and their shields uncovered ⁹.

From there, he marched two stages, ten parasangs, to Thymbrium, a populous city. Beside the road is a spring called the spring of Midas, the king of Phrygia. According to the story, Midas caught the satyr there by drugging the spring with wine. From there, he marched two stages, ten parasangs, to Tyriaeum, a populous city. He stayed there for three days. According to the popular account, the Cilician queen asked Cyrus to display his army for her amusement. Cyrus was only too glad to do so and held a review of the Hellenes and barbarians on the plain. He ordered the Hellenes to form their usual battle lines, with each general arranging his own battalion. They formed ranks four men deep. Menon and his men held the right, Clearchus and his men the left, and the other generals and their men the center. Cyrus first inspected the barbarians, who marched past in troops of cavalry and companies of infantry. He then inspected the Hellenes, driving past them in his chariot, with the queen in her carriage. They all wore brass helmets, purple tunics, and greaves, and their shields were uncovered ⁹.

After he had driven past the whole body, he drew up his chariot in front of the centre of the battle-line, and sent his interpreter Pigres to the generals of the Hellenes, with orders to present arms and to advance along the whole line. This order was repeated by the generals to their men; and at the sound of the bugle, with shields forward and spears in rest, they advanced to meet the enemy. The pace quickened, and with a shout the soldiers spontaneously fell into a run, making in the direction of the camp. Great was the panic of the barbarians. The Cilician queen in her carriage turned and fled; the sutlers in the marketing place left their wares and took to their heels; and the Hellenes meanwhile came into camp with a roar of laughter. What astounded the queen was the brilliancy and order of the armament; but Cyrus was pleased to see the terror inspired by the Hellenes in the hearts of the Asiatics.

After he had driven past the whole body, he stopped his chariot in front of the center of the battle line. He sent his interpreter Pigres to the generals of the Hellenes. Pigres was to order them to ready their weapons and advance along the whole line. The generals repeated the order to their men. At the sound of the bugle, they advanced to meet the enemy, with shields forward and spears ready. They picked up speed, and with a shout the soldiers began running toward the camp of their own accord. The barbarians panicked. The Cilician queen turned her carriage and fled. The merchants in the marketplace left their goods and ran. Meanwhile, the Hellenes came into camp roaring with laughter. The queen was amazed by the splendor and order of their military display. But Cyrus was pleased to see the terror the Hellenes inspired in the hearts of the Asiatics.

From this place he marched on three stages—twenty parasangs—to Iconium, the last city of Phrygia, where he remained three days. Thence he marched through Lycaonia five stages—thirty parasangs. This was hostile country, and he gave it over to the Hellenes to pillage. At this point Cyrus sent back the Cilician queen to her own country by the quickest route; and to escort her he sent the soldiers of Menon, and Menon himself. With the rest of the troops he continued his march through Cappadocia four stages—twenty-five parasangs—to Dana, a populous city, large and flourishing. Here they halted three days, within which interval Cyrus put to death, on a charge of conspiracy, a Persian nobleman named Megaphernes, a wearer of the royal purple; and along with him another high dignitary among his subordinate commanders.

From there he marched three stages, covering twenty parasangs, to Iconium, the last city of Phrygia. He stayed there for three days. He then marched through Lycaonia for five stages, covering thirty parasangs. It was hostile country, and he allowed the Hellenes to plunder it. At this point Cyrus sent the Cilician queen back to her own country by the quickest route. He sent Menon and his soldiers to escort her. With the rest of the troops, he marched through Cappadocia for four stages, covering twenty-five parasangs. They reached Dana, a large, prosperous city with a large population. They stayed there for three days. During that time, Cyrus put a Persian nobleman named Megaphernes to death on a charge of conspiracy. Megaphernes was entitled to wear the royal purple. Cyrus also put to death another high-ranking officer under his command.

From this place they endeavoured to force a passage into Cilicia. Now the entrance was by an exceedingly steep cart-road, impracticable for an army in face of a resisting force; and report said that Syennesis was on the summit of the pass guarding the approach. Accordingly they halted a day in the plain; but next day came a messenger informing them that Syenesis had left the pass; doubtless, after perceiving that Menon's army was already in Cilicia on his own side of the mountains; and he had further been informed that ships of war, belonging to the Lacedaemonians and to Cyrus himself, with Tamos on board as admiral, were sailing round from Ionia to Cilicia. Whatever the reason might be, Cyrus made his way up into the hills without let or hindrance, and came in sight of the tents where the Cilicians were on guard. From that point he descended gradually into a large and beautiful plain country, well watered, and thickly covered with trees of all sorts and vines. This plain produces sesame plentifully, as also panic and millet and barley and wheat; and it is shut in on all sides by a steep and lofty wall of mountains from sea to sea. Descending through this plain country, he advanced four stages—twenty-five parasangs—to Tarsus, a large and prosperous city of Cilicia. Here stood the palace of Syennesis, the king of the country; and through the middle of the city flows a river called the Cydnus, two hundred feet broad. They found that the city had been deserted by its inhabitants, who had betaken themselves, with Syennesis, to a strong place on the hills. All had gone, except the tavern-keepers. The sea-board inhabitants of Soli and Issi also remained. Now Epyaxa, Syennesis's queen, had reached Tarsus five days in advance of Cyrus. During their passage over the mountains into the plain, two companies of Menon's army were lost. Some said they had been cut down by the Cilicians, while engaged on some pillaging affair; another account was that they had been left behind, and being unable to overtake the main body, or discover the route, had gone astray and perished. However it was, they numbered one hundred hoplites; and when the rest arrived, being in a fury at the destruction of their fellow soldiers, they vented their spleen by pillaging the city of Tarsus and the palace to boot. Now when Cyrus had marched into the city, he sent for Syennesis to come to him; but the latter replied that he had never yet put himself into the hands of any one who was his superior, nor was he willing to accede to the proposal of Cyrus now; until, in the end, his wife persuaded him, and he accepted pledges of good faith. After this they met, and Syennesis gave Cyrus large sums in aid of his army; while Cyrus presented him with the customary royal gifts—to wit, a horse with a gold bit, a necklace of gold, a gold bracelet, and a gold scimitar, a Persian dress, and lastly, the exemption of his territory from further pillage, with the privilege of taking back the slaves that had been seized, wherever they might chance to come upon them.

From this place, they tried to force their way into Cilicia. The entrance was an extremely steep cart road. An army could not pass along it if a force resisted them. Reports said that Syennesis was guarding the approach at the top of the pass. So they halted for a day on the plain. The next day, a messenger came with news that Syenesis had left the pass. He had doubtless seen that Menon's army was already in Cilicia, on his side of the mountains. He had also been told that warships were sailing from Ionia around to Cilicia. They belonged to the Lacedaemonians and to Cyrus himself, and Tamos was aboard as admiral. Whatever the reason, Cyrus made his way into the hills without opposition. There he saw the tents where the Cilicians stood guard. From that point, he descended gradually into a large, beautiful plain. It was well watered and densely covered with vines and trees of all kinds. The plain produces plenty of sesame, as well as panic, millet, barley, and wheat. A steep, high wall of mountains surrounds it on all sides, stretching from sea to sea. Cyrus descended into the plain and marched four stages, or twenty-five parasangs, to Tarsus. It was a large and prosperous city in Cilicia. The palace of Syennesis, the king of the country, stood there. A river called the Cydnus, two hundred feet wide, flows through the middle of the city. They found that the inhabitants had deserted it and gone with Syennesis to a stronghold in the hills. All had gone except the tavern-keepers. The inhabitants of Soli and Issi on the coast also remained. Epyaxa, Syennesis's queen, had reached Tarsus five days before Cyrus. Two companies of Menon's army were lost while crossing the mountains into the plain. Some said the Cilicians had killed them while they were engaged in a raid. Others said they had been left behind and could not catch up with the main army or find the route. According to this account, they had wandered off and perished. Whatever happened, they numbered one hundred hoplites. When the rest arrived, they were furious at the loss of their fellow soldiers. They vented their anger by pillaging Tarsus and the palace as well. After Cyrus marched into the city, he sent for Syennesis. But Syennesis replied that he had never yet put himself in the hands of a superior. He was not willing to do so for Cyrus now. In the end, however, his wife persuaded him, and he accepted pledges of good faith. After this they met, and Syennesis gave Cyrus large sums to support his army. Cyrus gave him the customary royal gifts: a horse with a gold bit, a gold necklace, a gold bracelet, a gold scimitar, and a Persian outfit. Finally, he spared Syennesis's territory from further pillage. He also allowed his people to take back the slaves who had been seized, wherever they found them.