Chapter 8

It was already about full market time¹ and the halting-place at which the army was to take up quarters was nearly reached, when Pategyas, a Persian, a trusty member of Cyrus's personal staff, came galloping up at full speed on his horse, which was bathed in sweat, and to every one he met he shouted in Greek and Persian, as fast as he could ejaculate the words: "The king is advancing with a large army ready for battle." Then ensued a scene of wild confusion. The Hellenes and all alike were expecting to be attacked on the instant, and before they could form their lines. Cyrus sprang from his carriage and donned his corselet; then leaping on to his charger's back, with the javelins firmly clutched, he passed the order to the rest, to arm themselves and fall into their several ranks.

It was already about full market time¹, and the army was nearly at its stopping place for the night. Then Pategyas, a Persian and trusted member of Cyrus's personal staff, came galloping up. His horse was soaked with sweat. To everyone he met, he shouted in Greek and Persian, getting the words out as fast as he could: "The king is advancing with a large army ready for battle." Wild confusion followed. The Hellenes and everyone else expected to be attacked immediately, before they could form their lines. Cyrus jumped from his carriage and put on his breastplate. Then he leaped onto his warhorse, gripped his javelins, and ordered the others to arm themselves and take their places in the ranks.

The orders were carried out with alacrity; the ranks shaped themselves. Clearchus held the right wing resting on the Euphrates, Proxenus was next, and after him the rest, while Menon with his troops held the Hellenic left. Of the Asiatics, a body of Paphlagonian cavalry, one thousand strong, were posted beside Clearchus on the right, and with them stood the Hellenic peltasts. On the left was Ariaeus, Cyrus's second in command, and the rest of the barbarian host. Cyrus was with his bodyguard of cavalry about six hundred strong, all armed with corselets like Cyrus, and cuirasses and helmets; but not so Cyrus: he went into battle with head unhelmeted². So too all the horses with Cyrus wore forehead-pieces and breast-pieces, and the troopers carried short Hellenic swords.

The orders were carried out quickly, and the ranks formed. Clearchus held the right wing, with his flank resting on the Euphrates. Proxenus was next, followed by the others. Menon and his troops held the Hellenic left. Among the Asiatics, one thousand Paphlagonian cavalry were stationed beside Clearchus on the right, along with the Hellenic peltasts. On the left stood Ariaeus, Cyrus's second in command, and the rest of the barbarian army. Cyrus was with his cavalry bodyguard, about six hundred strong. Like Cyrus, they were all armed with corselets and cuirasses, and they wore helmets. But Cyrus went into battle without a helmet². All the horses with Cyrus wore forehead-pieces and breast-pieces, and the cavalrymen carried short Hellenic swords.

It was now mid-day, and the enemy was not yet in sight; but with the approach of afternoon was seen dust like a white cloud, and after a considerable interval a black pall as it were spread far and high above the plain. As they came nearer, very soon was seen here and there a glint of bronze and spear-points; and the ranks could plainly be distinguished. On the left were troopers wearing white cuirasses. That is Tissaphernes in command, they said, and next to these a body of men bearing wicker-shields, and next again heavy-armed infantry, with long wooden shields reaching to the feet. These were the Egyptians, they said, and then other cavalry, other bowmen; all were in national divisions, each nation marching in densely-crowded squares. And all along their front was a line of chariots at considerable intervals from one another—the famous scythe-chariots, as they were named—having their scythes fitted to the axle-trees and stretching out slantwise, while others protruded under the chariot-seats, facing the ground, so as to cut through all they encountered. The design was to let them dash full speed into the ranks of the Hellenes and cut them through.

It was now midday, and the enemy was still not in sight. But as afternoon approached, dust appeared like a white cloud. Much later, what looked like a black pall spread far and high above the plain. As the enemy came nearer, flashes of bronze and spear points soon appeared here and there. Their ranks could now be clearly seen. On the left were cavalrymen wearing white breastplates. Tissaphernes was in command there, they said. Next to them came men carrying wicker shields, followed by heavily armed infantry with long wooden shields reaching their feet. These were the Egyptians, they said. Then came more cavalry and more archers. All were divided by nation, each nation marching in tightly packed squares. Across their front was a line of chariots, spaced well apart. These were the famous scythe-chariots, as they were called. Scythes were fitted to their axles and projected outward at an angle. Others projected beneath the chariot seats, facing the ground, to cut through everything they encountered. The plan was to send the chariots at full speed into the ranks of the Hellenes and cut through them.

Curiously enough the anticipation of Cyrus, when at the council of war he admonished the Hellenes not to mind the shouting of the Asiatics, was not justified. Instead of shouting, they came on in deep silence, softly and slowly, with even tread. At this instant, Cyrus, riding past in person, accompanied by Pigres, his interpreter, and three or four others, called aloud to Clearchus to advance against the enemy's centre, for there the king was to be found: "And if we strike home at this point," he added, "our work is finished." Clearchus, though he could see the compact body at the centre, and had been told by Cyrus that the king lay outside the Hellenic left (for, owing to numerical superiority, the king, while holding his own centre, could well overlap Cyrus's extreme left), still hesitated to draw off his right wing from the river, for fear of being turned on both flanks; and he simply replied, assuring Cyrus that he would take care all went well.

Oddly enough, Cyrus had been wrong when he warned the Hellenes at the council of war not to mind the shouting of the Asiatics. Instead of shouting, the Asiatics advanced in deep silence, softly and slowly, with steady steps. At that moment, Cyrus himself rode past, accompanied by Pigres, his interpreter, and three or four others. He called out to Clearchus to advance against the enemy’s center, where the king was. "And if we strike home at this point," he added, "our work is finished." Clearchus could see the tightly packed force at the center. Cyrus had also told him that the king was beyond the Hellenic left. The king’s forces were so much larger that he could hold his own center and still extend beyond Cyrus’s far left. But Clearchus hesitated to move his right wing away from the river. He feared that the enemy would get around both his flanks. He simply replied, assuring Cyrus that he would make sure all went well.

At this time the barbarian army was evenly advancing, and the Hellenic division was still riveted to the spot, completing its formation as the various contingents came up. Cyrus, riding past at some distance from the lines, glanced his eye first in one direction and then in the other, so as to take a complete survey of friends and foes; when Xenophon the Athenian, seeing him, rode up from the Hellenic quarter to meet him, asking him whether he had any orders to give. Cyrus, pulling up his horse, begged him to make the announcement generally known that the omens from the victims, internal and external alike, were good³. While he was still speaking, he heard a confused murmur passing through the ranks, and asked what it meant. The other replied that it was the watchword being passed down for the second time. Cyrus wondered who had given the order, and asked what the watchword was. On being told it was "Zeus our Saviour and Victory," he replied, "I accept it; so let it be," and with that remark rode away to his own position. And now the two battle lines were no more than three or four furlongs apart, when the Hellenes began chanting the paean, and at the same time advanced against the enemy.

At this time, the barbarian army was advancing steadily. The Hellenic division remained in place, completing its formation as the various contingents arrived. Cyrus rode past some distance from the lines, looking in both directions to survey friends and enemies. Xenophon the Athenian saw him and rode out from the Hellenic side to meet him. He asked Cyrus whether he had any orders. Cyrus stopped his horse and asked Xenophon to tell everyone that the omens from the sacrificial victims, both internal and external, were good³. While Cyrus was still speaking, he heard a confused murmur passing through the ranks and asked what it meant. Xenophon replied that the watchword was being passed down the ranks for the second time. Cyrus wondered who had given the order and asked what the watchword was. When told it was "Zeus our Saviour and Victory," he replied, "I accept it; so let it be." Then he rode back to his own position. The two battle lines were now no more than three or four furlongs apart. The Hellenes began chanting the paean and advanced against the enemy at the same time.

But with the forward movement a certain portion of the line curved onwards in advance, with wave-like sinuosity, and the portion left behind quickened to a run; and simultaneously a thrilling cry burst from all lips, like that in honour of the war-god—eleleu! eleleu! and the running became general. Some say they clashed their shields and spears, thereby causing terror to the horses⁴; and before they had got within arrowshot the barbarians swerved and took to flight. And now the Hellenes gave chase with might and main, checked only by shouts to one another not to race, but to keep their ranks. The enemy's chariots, reft of their charioteers, swept onwards, some through the enemy themselves, others past the Hellenes. They, as they saw them coming, opened a gap and let them pass. One fellow, like some dumbfoundered mortal on a racecourse, was caught by the heels, but even he, they said, received no hurt, nor indeed, with the single exception of some one on the left wing who was said to have been wounded by an arrow, did any Hellene in this battle suffer a single hurt.

As the line advanced, part of it curved forward in a wave, and those left behind began to run. At the same time, a thrilling cry rose from every mouth, like the cry in honor of the war-god: eleleu! eleleu! Soon everyone was running. Some say they clashed their shields and spears, frightening the horses⁴. Before the Hellenes came within arrowshot, the barbarians turned and fled. The Hellenes chased them with all their might, shouting to one another not to race ahead but to keep their ranks. The enemy’s chariots, now without charioteers, swept on, some through their own troops and others past the Hellenes. When the Hellenes saw them coming, they opened gaps and let them pass. One man was caught by the heels, like a bewildered spectator at a racecourse. But even he, they said, was not hurt. In fact, not a single Hellene was hurt in the battle, except for one man on the left wing, who was said to have been wounded by an arrow.

Cyrus, seeing the Hellene's conquering, as far as they at any rate were concerned, and in hot pursuit, was well content; but in spite of his joy and the salutations offered him at that moment by those about him, as though he were already king, he was not led away to join in the pursuit, but keeping his squadron of six hundred horsemen in close order, waited and watched to see what the king himself would do. The king, he knew, held the centre of the Persian army. Indeed it is the fashion for the Asiatic monarch to occupy that position during action, for this twofold reason: he holds the safest place, with his troops on either side of him, while, if he has occasion to despatch any necessary rider along the lines, his troops will receive the message in half the time. The king accordingly on this occasion held the centre of his army, but for all that, he was outside Cyrus's left wing; and seeing that no one offered him battle in front, nor yet the troops in front of him, he wheeled as if to encircle the enemy. It was then that Cyrus, in apprehension lest the king might get round to the rear and cut to pieces the Hellenic body, charged to meet him. Attacking with his six hundred, he mastered the line of troops in front of the king, and put to flight the six thousand, cutting down, as is said, with his own hand their general, Artagerses.

Cyrus saw that the Hellenes were winning their part of the battle and were pursuing the enemy fiercely. He was well pleased. Those around him greeted him as though he were already king. But despite his joy, he did not join the pursuit. Instead, he kept his squadron of six hundred horsemen in close formation and watched to see what the king would do. Cyrus knew that the king held the center of the Persian army. The Asiatic monarch usually takes that position in battle for two reasons. It is the safest place, with his troops on both sides. And if he needs to send a rider along the lines, his troops receive the message in half the time. The king held the center of his army on this occasion, but he was still beyond Cyrus’s left wing. He saw that no one was fighting him or the troops in front of him. So he turned as if to surround the enemy. Cyrus feared that the king might get behind the Hellenic force and cut it to pieces. He therefore charged to meet him. With his six hundred horsemen, Cyrus defeated the troops in front of the king and put the six thousand to flight. It is said that he killed their general, Artagerses, with his own hand.

But as soon as the rout commenced, Cyrus's own six hundred themselves, in the ardour of pursuit, were scattered, with the exception of a handful who were left with Cyrus himself—chiefly his table companions, so-called. Left alone with these, he caught sight of the king, and the close throng about him. Unable longer to contain himself, with a cry, "I see the man," he rushed at him and dealt a blow at his chest, wounding him through the corselet. This, according to the statement of Ctesias the surgeon⁵, who further states that he himself healed the wound. As Cyrus delivered the blow, some one struck him with a javelin under the eye severely; and in the struggle which then ensued between the king and Cyrus and those about them to protect one or other, we have the statement of Ctesias as to the number slain on the king's side, for he was by his side. On the other, Cyrus himself fell, and eight of his bravest companions lay on the top of him. The story says that Artapes, the trustiest among his wand-wearers, when he saw that Cyrus had fallen to the ground, leapt from his horse and threw his arms about him. Then, as one account says, the king bade one slay him as a worthy victim to his brother: others say that Artapates drew his scimitar and slew himself by his own hand. A golden scimitar it is true, he had; he wore also a collar and bracelets and the other ornaments such as the noblest Persians wear; for his kindliness and fidelity had won him honours at the hands of Cyrus.

As soon as the rout began, Cyrus's own six hundred scattered in their eagerness to pursue the enemy. Only a handful stayed with Cyrus, chiefly those known as his table companions. Left alone with them, he saw the king and the close crowd around him. Unable to contain himself any longer, he cried, "I see the man," and rushed at him. He struck the king in the chest, wounding him through his breastplate. This is the account of Ctesias the surgeon⁵, who also says that he healed the wound himself. As Cyrus struck, someone severely wounded him with a javelin under the eye. A struggle then followed between the king and Cyrus, as their followers tried to protect them. Ctesias, who was at the king's side, gives an account of the number killed on the king's side. On the other side, Cyrus himself fell, and eight of his bravest companions lay dead on top of him. The story says that Artapes, the most trusted of his wand-wearers, saw Cyrus fall to the ground. He leapt from his horse and threw his arms around him. According to one account, the king ordered someone to kill him as a worthy sacrifice to his brother. Others say that Artapates drew his scimitar and killed himself. He did have a golden scimitar, and he also wore a collar, bracelets, and the other ornaments worn by the noblest Persians. Cyrus had honored him with these for his kindness and loyalty.