Chapter 4

That day they remained inactive, but the next they rose earlier than usual, and set out betimes, for they had a ravine to cross, where they feared the enemy might attack them in the act of crossing. When they were across, Mithridates appeared again with one thousand horse, and archers and slingers to the number of four thousand. This whole body he had got by request from Tissaphernes, and in return he undertook to deliver up the Hellenes to Tissaphernes. He had grown contemptuous since his late attack, when, with so small a detachment, he had done, as he thought, a good deal of mischief, without the slightest loss to himself.

They remained inactive that day, but the next day they rose earlier than usual and set out early. They had to cross a ravine and feared the enemy might attack them during the crossing. After they crossed, Mithridates appeared again with one thousand horsemen and four thousand archers and slingers. He had requested this whole force from Tissaphernes. In return, he promised to deliver the Hellenes to Tissaphernes. His recent attack had made him contemptuous of the Hellenes. He thought his small detachment had done them considerable harm without suffering the slightest loss.

When the Hellenes were not only right across, but had got about a mile from the ravine, Mithridates also crossed with his forces. An order had been passed down the lines, what light infantry and what heavy infantry were to take part in the pursuit; and the cavalry were instructed to follow up the pursuit with confidence, as a considerable support was in their rear. So, when Mithridates had come up with them, and they were well within arrow and sling shot, the bugle sounded the signal to the Hellenes; and immediately the detachment under orders rushed to close quarters, and the cavalry charged. There the enemy preferred not to wait, but fled towards the ravine. In this pursuit the Asiatics lost several of their infantry killed, and of their cavalry as many as eighteen were taken prisoners in the ravine. As to those who were slain the Hellenes, acting upon impulse, mutilated their bodies, by way of impressing their enemy with as frightful an image as possible.

When the Hellenes had crossed the ravine and gone about a mile beyond it, Mithridates crossed with his forces. Orders had been passed down the lines specifying which light and heavy infantry would join the pursuit. The cavalry were told to pursue confidently, since a considerable force was behind them in support. Mithridates caught up with the Hellenes and came well within range of their arrows and slings. Then the bugle sounded the signal to the Hellenes. The detachment immediately rushed forward to fight at close quarters, and the cavalry charged. The enemy chose not to stand and fight, but fled toward the ravine. During the pursuit, several Asiatic infantrymen were killed, and as many as eighteen cavalrymen were captured in the ravine. On impulse, the Hellenes mutilated the bodies of the dead to show their enemy as frightening a sight as possible.

So fared the foe and so fell back; but the Hellenes, continuing their march in safety for the rest of that day, reached the river Tigris. Here they came upon a large deserted city, the name of which was Larissa¹: a place inhabited by the Medes in days of old; the breadth of its walls was twenty-five feet, and the height of them a hundred, and the circuit of the whole two parasangs. It was built of clay-bricks, supported on a stone basis twenty feet high. This city the king of the Persians² besieged, what time the Persians strove to snatch their empire from the Medes, but he could in no wise take it; then a cloud hid the face of the sun and blotted out the light thereof, until the inhabitants were gone out of the city, and so it was taken. By the side of this city there was a stone pyramid in breadth a hundred feet, and in height two hundred feet; in it were many of the barbarians who had fled for refuge from the neighbouring villages.

The enemy retreated, while the Hellenes continued their march safely for the rest of the day. They reached the river Tigris, where they came upon a large deserted city named Larissa¹. The Medes had inhabited it long ago. Its walls were twenty-five feet thick and a hundred feet high, and the city’s circumference was two parasangs. The walls were built of clay bricks on a stone foundation twenty feet high. The king of the Persians² besieged the city when the Persians were trying to take their empire from the Medes. But he could not capture it. Then a cloud hid the sun and blocked its light until the inhabitants left the city. Only then was it captured. Beside the city stood a stone pyramid, a hundred feet wide and two hundred feet high. Many of the barbarians had fled there for refuge from the neighboring villages.

From this place they marched one stage of six parasangs to a great deserted fortress (which lay over against the city), and the name of that city was Mespila³. The Medes once dwelt in it. The basement was made of polished stone full of shells; fifty feet was the breadth of it, and fifty feet the height; and on this basement was reared a wall of brick, the breadth whereof was fifty feet and the height thereof four hundred; and the circuit of the wall was six parasangs. Hither, as the story goes, Medea⁴, the king's wife, betook herself in flight what time the Medes lost their empire at the hands of the Persians. To this city also the king of the Pesians laid siege, but could not take it either by length of days or strength of hand. But Zeus sent amazement on the inhabitants thereof, and so it was taken.

From there, they marched one stage of six parasangs to a great deserted fortress. It stood opposite the city of Mespila³, where the Medes had once lived. The foundation was made of polished stone full of shells. It was fifty feet wide and fifty feet high. On this foundation stood a brick wall, fifty feet wide and four hundred feet high. The wall was six parasangs around. According to the story, Medea⁴, the king's wife, fled there when the Persians took the Medes' empire. The king of the Persians also laid siege to the city. But he could not take it, either by a long siege or by force. Then Zeus struck the inhabitants with amazement, and the city was taken.

From this place they marched one stage—four parasangs. But, while still on this stage, Tissaphernes made his appearance. He had with him his own cavalry and a force belonging to Orontas, who had the king's daughter to wife; and there were, moreover, with them the Asiatics whom Cyrus had taken with him on his march up; together with those whom the king's brother had brought as a reinforcement to the king; besides those whom Tissaphernes himself had received as a gift from the king, so that the armament appeared to be very great. When they were close, he halted some of his regiments at the rear and wheeled others into position on either flank, but hesitated to attack, having no mind apparently to run any risks, and contenting himself with an order to his slingers to sling and his archers to shoot. But when the Rhodian slingers and the bowmen⁵, posted at intervals, retaliated, and every shot told (for with the utmost pains to miss it would have been hard to do so under the circumstanecs), then Tissaphernes with all speed retired out of range, the other regiments following suit; and for the rest of the day the one party advanced and the other followed. But now the Asiatics had ceased to be dangerous with their sharpshooting. For the Rhodians could reach further than the Persian slingers, or, indeed, than most of the bowmen. The Persian bows are of great size, so that the Cretans found the arrows which were picked up serviceable, and persevered in using their enemies' arrows, and practised shooting with them, letting them fly upwards to a great height⁶. There were also plenty of bowstrings found in the villages—and lead, which they turned to account for their slings. As a result of this day, then, the Hellenes chancing upon some villages had no sooner encamped than the barbarians fell back, having had distinctly the worst of it in the skirmishing.

From this place they marched one stage, a distance of four parasangs. But while they were still on this stage, Tissaphernes appeared. He had his own cavalry with him, along with a force belonging to Orontas, who was married to the king’s daughter. They were joined by the Asiatics whom Cyrus had taken with him on his march up, and those whom the king’s brother had brought as reinforcements for the king. Tissaphernes also had the troops the king had given him, so that the army appeared very large. When they drew close, Tissaphernes stationed some of his regiments at the rear and turned others into position on either flank. But he hesitated to attack, apparently unwilling to take any risks. Instead, he ordered his slingers and archers to fire. The Rhodian slingers and the bowmen⁵, posted at intervals, fired back, and every shot hit. Under the circumstances, they could hardly have missed even if they had tried their hardest. Tissaphernes quickly withdrew out of range, and the other regiments followed. For the rest of the day, one party advanced while the other followed. But the Asiatics were no longer dangerous with their long-range shots. The Rhodians could shoot farther than the Persian slingers, or indeed than most of the bowmen. The Persian bows are very large, so the Cretans found the arrows they picked up useful. They continued to use their enemies’ arrows and practised shooting them high into the air⁶. They also found plenty of bowstrings in the villages, along with lead, which they used for their slings. At the end of the day, the Hellenes came upon some villages and set up camp. As soon as they did, the barbarians fell back. The barbarians had clearly suffered the worse in the skirmishing.

The next day was a day of inaction: they halted and took in supplies, as there was much corn in the villages; but on the day following, the march was continued through the plain (of the Tigris), and Tissaphernes still hung on their skirts with his skirmishers. And now it was that the Hellenes discovered the defect of marching in a square with an enemy following. As a matter of necessity, whenever the wings of an army so disposed draw together, either where a road narrows, or hills close in, or a bridge has to be crossed, the heavy infantry cannot help being squeezed out of their ranks, and march with difficulty, partly from actual pressure, and partly from the general confusion that ensues. Or, supposing the wings are again extended, the troops have hardly recovered from their former distress before they are pulled asunder, and there is a wide space between the wings, and the men concerned lose confidence in themselves, especially with an enemy close behind. What happened, when a bridge had to be crossed or other passage effected, was, that each unit of the force pressed on in anxiety to get over first, and at these moments it was easy for the enemy to make an attack. The generals accordingly, having recognised the defect, set about curing it. To do so, they made six lochi, or divisions of a hundred men apiece, each of which had its own set of captains and under-officers in command of half and quarter companies. It was the duty of these new companies, during a march, whenever the flanks needed to close in, to fall back to the rear, so as to disencumber the wings. This they did by wheeling clear of them. When the sides of the oblong again extended, they filled up the interstices, if the gap were narrow, by columns of companies, if broader, by columns of half-companies, or, if broader still, by columns of quarter-companies, so that the space between was always filled up. If again it were necessary to effect a passage by bridge or otherwise, there was no confusion, the several companies crossing in turns; or, if the occasion arose to form in line of battle, these companies came up to the front and fell in⁷.

The next day they stayed in place and gathered supplies, since there was plenty of grain in the villages. The following day, they resumed their march across the plain (of the Tigris). Tissaphernes continued to harass them from behind with his skirmishers. The Hellenes now discovered the weakness of marching in a square with an enemy following them. When an army marched in this formation, its flanks had to close in wherever a road narrowed, hills drew together, or a bridge had to be crossed. The heavy infantry were inevitably squeezed out of their ranks and had difficulty marching. This was partly because of the pressure and partly because of the resulting confusion. When the flanks spread out again, the troops had barely recovered before they were pulled apart. A wide gap opened between the flanks, and the men involved lost confidence, especially with an enemy close behind. Whenever they had to cross a bridge or pass through another narrow place, each unit pressed forward, anxious to cross first. At such moments, the enemy could easily attack. Once the generals recognized the weakness, they set about correcting it. They formed six lochi, or divisions of a hundred men each. Each had its own captains and officers commanding half and quarter companies. During a march, these new companies had a particular duty whenever the flanks needed to close in. They wheeled away from the flanks and fell back to the rear, giving the wings room to move. When the sides of the oblong spread out again, the companies filled the gaps. If a gap was narrow, they formed columns of full companies. If it was wider, they formed columns of half companies. If it was wider still, they formed columns of quarter companies. In this way, the space was always filled. If they had to cross a bridge or another passage, there was no confusion, because the companies crossed in turn. If they needed to form a battle line, these companies came up to the front and joined the line⁷.

In this way they advanced four stages, but ere the fifth was completed, they came in sight of a palace of some sort, with villages clustered round it; they could further see that the road leading to this place pursued its course over high undulating hillocks, the spur of the mountain range, under which lay the village. These knolls were a welcome sight to the Hellenes, naturally enough, as the enemy were cavalry. However, when they had issued from the plain and ascended the first crest, and were in the act of descending it so as to mount the next, at this juncture the barbarians came upon them. From the high ground down the sheer steep they poured a volley of darts, slingstones, and arrows, which they discharged "under the lash⁸," wounding many, until they got the better of the Hellenic light troops, and drove them for shelter behind the heavy infantry, so that this day that arm was altogether useless, huddling in the mob of sutlers, both slingers and archers alike.

In this way they advanced four stages. Before completing the fifth, they came in sight of a palace of some sort, surrounded by villages. They could also see that the road to the palace crossed high, rolling hills. These hills were a spur of the mountain range, below which lay the village. The Hellenes were naturally glad to see the hills, since the enemy were cavalry. But after leaving the plain, they climbed the first hill and began descending toward the next. At that moment the barbarians attacked. From the high ground, they sent a volley of darts, slingstones, and arrows down the steep slope. They fired "under the lash⁸" and wounded many. At last they overcame the Hellenic light troops and drove them behind the heavy infantry for shelter. As a result, the light troops were completely useless that day. Slingers and archers alike huddled among the crowd of sutlers.

But when the Hellenes, being so pressed, made an attempt to pursue, they could barely scale to the summit, being heavy-armed troops, while the enemy as lightly sprung away; and they suffered similarly in retiring to join the rest of the army. And then, on the second hill, the whole had to be gone through again; so that when it came to the third hillock, they determined not to move the main body of troops from their position until they had brought up a squadron of light infantry from the right flank of the square to a point on the mountain range. When this detachment were once posted above their pursuers, the latter desisted from attacking the main body in its descent, for fear of being cut off and finding themselves between two assailants. Thus the rest of the day they moved on in two divisions: one set keeping to the road by the hillocks, the other marching parallel on the higher level along the mountains; and thus they reached the villages and appointed eight surgeons to attend to the many wounded.

But when the Hellenes, pressed so hard, tried to pursue the enemy, they could barely climb to the summit. They were heavily armed, while the enemy could easily escape. They had the same difficulty when they withdrew to rejoin the rest of the army. The whole struggle was repeated on the second hill. So, at the third hillock, they decided to keep the main body in position. First, they brought a squadron of light infantry from the right flank of the square up onto the mountain range. Once this detachment was posted above the pursuers, the enemy stopped attacking the main body as it descended. They feared being cut off and caught between two attackers. For the rest of the day, the army moved in two divisions. One followed the road by the hillocks, while the other marched alongside it, higher up on the mountains. In this way they reached the villages, where they appointed eight surgeons to tend the many wounded.

Here they halted three days for the sake of the wounded chiefly, while a further inducement was the plentiful supply of provisions which they found, wheat and wine, and large stores of barley laid up for horses. These supplies had been collected by the ruling satrap of the country. On the fourth day they began their descent into the plain; but when Tissaphernes overtook them, necessity taught them to camp in the first village they caught sight of, and give over the attempt of marching and fighting simultaneously, as so many were hors de combat, being either on the list of wounded themselves, or else engaged in carrying the wounded, or laden with the heavy arms of those so occupied. But when they were once encamped, and the barbarians, advancing upon the village, made an attempt to harass them with their sharp-shooters, the superiority of the Hellenes was pronounced. To sustain a running fight with an enemy constantly attacking was one thing; to keep him at arm's length from a fixed base of action another: and the difference was much in their favour.

They halted there for three days, mainly for the sake of the wounded. They also found plenty of provisions: wheat, wine, and large stores of barley for the horses. The ruling satrap of the country had collected these supplies. On the fourth day, they began to descend into the plain. But when Tissaphernes overtook them, they had to camp in the first village they saw. They could no longer march and fight at the same time. Too many were unable to fight because they were wounded, carrying the wounded, or carrying the heavy arms of those doing so. Once they had camped, the barbarians advanced on the village and tried to harass them with their sharp-shooters. But the Hellenes proved clearly superior. Fighting on the move against an enemy who kept attacking was one thing. Keeping him at a distance from a fixed position was another, and the difference was much in their favor.

But when it was late afternoon, the time had come for the enemy to withdraw, since the habit of the barbarian was never to encamp within seven or eight miles of the Hellenic camp. This he did in apprehension of a night attack, for a Persian army is good for nothing at night. Their horses are haltered, and, as a rule, hobbled as well, to prevent their escaping, as they might if loose; so that, if any alarm occurs, the trooper has to saddle and bridle his horse, and then he must put on his own cuirass, and then mount—all which performances are difficult at night and in the midst of confusion. For this reason they always encamped at a distance from the Hellenes.

But by late afternoon, it was time for the enemy to withdraw. The barbarian never camped within seven or eight miles of the Hellenic camp. He kept his distance because he feared a night attack. A Persian army is good for nothing at night. Its horses are haltered and usually hobbled as well, to keep them from escaping, as they might if left loose. So if an alarm is raised, each trooper must saddle and bridle his horse, put on his cuirass, and mount. All this is difficult at night, amid confusion. For this reason, they always camped at a distance from the Hellenes.

When the Hellenes perceived that they were preparing to retire, and that the order was being given, the herald's cry, "Pack up for starting," might be heard before the enemy was fairly out of earshot. For a while the Asiatics paused, as if unwilling to be gone; but as night closed in, off they went, for it did not suit their notions of expediency to set off on a march and arrive by night. And now, when the Hellenes saw that they were really and clearly gone, they too broke up their camp and pursued their march till they had traversed seven and a half miles. Thus the distance between the two armies grew to be so great, that the next day the enemy did not appear at all, nor yet on the third day; but on the fourth the barbarians had pushed on by a forced night march and occupied a commanding position on the right, where the Hellenes had to pass. It was a narrow mountain spur⁹ overhanging the descent into the plain.

When the Hellenes saw that the enemy was preparing to withdraw and giving the order to do so, they heard the herald cry, "Pack up for starting." The enemy was hardly out of earshot. For a while the Asiatics paused, as if unwilling to leave. But as night fell, they went off. They did not think it wise to set out on a march and arrive at night. When the Hellenes saw that the enemy had clearly gone, they too broke camp and marched seven and a half miles. The distance between the two armies grew so great that the enemy did not appear the next day or the third day. But on the fourth day, the barbarians made a forced march through the night and occupied a commanding position on the right, where the Hellenes had to pass. It was a narrow mountain spur⁹ overlooking the descent into the plain.

But when Cheirisophus saw that this ridge was occupied, he summoned Xenophon from the rear, bidding him at the same time to bring up peltasts to the front. That Xenophon hesitated to do, for Tissaphernes and his whole army were coming up and were well within sight. Galloping up to the front himself, he asked: "Why do you summon me?" The other answered him: "The reason is plain; look yonder; this crest which overhangs our descent has been occupied. There is no passing, until we have dislodged these fellows; why have you not brought up the light infantry?" Xenophon explained: he had not thought it desirable to leave the rear unprotected, with an enemy appearing in the field of view. "However, it is time," he added, "to decide how we are to dislodge these fellows from the crest." At this moment his eye fell on the peak of the mountain, rising immediately above their army, and he could see an approach leading from it to the crest in question where the enemy lay. He exclaimed: "The best thing we can do, Cheirisophus, is to make a dash at the height itself, and with what speed we may. If we take it, the party in command of the road will never be able to stop. If you like, stay in command of the army, and I will go; or, if you prefer, do you go to the mountain, and I will stay here."—"I leave it to you," Cheirisophus answered, "to choose which you like best." Xenophon remarking, "I am the younger," elected to go; but he stipulated for a detachment from the front to accompany him, since it was a long way to fetch up troops from the rear. Accordingly Cheirisophus furnished him with the light infantry from the front, reoccupying their place by those from the centre. He also gave him, to form part of the detachment, the three hundred of the picked corps¹⁰ under his own command at the head of the square.

When Cheirisophus saw that the ridge was occupied, he summoned Xenophon from the rear. He also ordered him to bring peltasts to the front. Xenophon hesitated to bring them, because Tissaphernes and his whole army were approaching and were clearly in sight. He galloped to the front himself and asked: "Why did you summon me?" Cheirisophus answered: "The reason is plain. Look over there. The crest above our descent is occupied. We cannot get through until we drive those men off. Why haven't you brought the light infantry?" Xenophon explained that he had not wanted to leave the rear unprotected while an enemy was in sight. "However," he added, "it is time to decide how to drive those men off the crest." At that moment, Xenophon noticed the mountain peak rising directly above their army. He could see a route from the peak to the crest where the enemy lay. He exclaimed: "The best thing we can do, Cheirisophus, is rush the height itself as quickly as we can. If we take it, the men who control the road will never be able to hold their position. If you like, stay in command of the army, and I will go. Or, if you prefer, go to the mountain yourself, and I will stay here." "I leave it to you," Cheirisophus answered, "to choose whichever you prefer." Xenophon said, "I am the younger," and chose to go. But he asked for a detachment from the front to accompany him, since it was a long way to fetch troops from the rear. Cheirisophus therefore gave him the light infantry from the front and replaced them with troops from the center. He also gave him the three hundred men of the picked corps¹⁰ under his own command at the head of the square.

They set out from the low ground with all the haste imaginable. But the enemy in position on the crest no sooner perceived their advance upon the summit of the pass than they themselves set off full tilt in a rival race for the summit too. Hoarse were the shouts of the Hellenic troops as the men cheered their companions forwards, and hoarse the answering shouts from the troops of Tissaphernes, urging on theirs. Xenophon, mounted on his charger, rode beside his men, and roused their ardour the while. "Now for it, brave sirs; bethink you that this race is for Hellas!—now or never!—to find your boys, your wives; one small effort, and the rest of the march we shall pursue in peace, without ever a blow to strike; now for it." But Soteridas the Sicyonian said: "We are not on equal terms, Xenophon; you are mounted on a horse; I can hardly get along with my shield to carry;" and he, on hearing the reproach, leapt from his horse. In another instant he had pushed Soteridas from the ranks, snatched from him his shield, and begun marching as quickly as he might under the circumstances, having his horseman's cuirass to carry as well, so that he was sore pressed; but he continued to cheer on the troops: exhorting those in front to lead on and the men toiling behind to follow up¹¹. Soteridas was not spared by the rest of the men. They gave him blows, they pelted him, they showered him with abuse, till they compelled him to take back his shield and march on; and the other, remounting, led them on horseback as long as the footing held; but when the ground became too steep, he left his horse and pressed forward on foot, and so they found themselves on the summit before the enemy.

They set out from the low ground as fast as they could. But when the enemy on the ridge saw them advancing toward the top of the pass, they too raced for it at full speed. The Hellenic troops shouted themselves hoarse as they cheered their companions on. The troops of Tissaphernes shouted back just as hoarsely, urging their own men forward. Xenophon rode beside his men on his horse, encouraging them. "Come on, brave men. Remember that this race is for Hellas! It is now or never if you want to see your sons and wives again. One small effort, and we can finish the march in peace, without having to strike another blow. Come on!" But Soteridas the Sicyonian said: "We are not on equal terms, Xenophon. You are riding a horse. I can hardly get along while carrying my shield." When Xenophon heard the reproach, he jumped from his horse. He pushed Soteridas out of the ranks, snatched his shield, and began marching as fast as he could. He also had to carry his cavalry armor, so he struggled. But he kept cheering on the troops, urging those in front to lead the way and those struggling behind to follow¹¹. The other men showed Soteridas no mercy. They hit him, pelted him, and shouted abuse at him until they forced him to take back his shield and march on. Xenophon then mounted his horse again and led them as long as the ground allowed. But when the ground became too steep, he left his horse and pressed on by foot. In this way they reached the summit before the enemy.