Chapter 4

The passage effected, they fell into line about mid-day, and marched 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.

After crossing, they formed ranks around midday and marched through Armenian territory. They crossed a broad plain with gently rolling hills, traveling at least five parasangs. There were no villages near the river because the Armenians were at war with the Carduchians. The village they finally reached was large and had a palace belonging to the satrap. Most of the houses had turrets, and food was 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 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 village, they marched two stages, covering ten parasangs, until they had passed the sources of the river Tigris. From there, they marched three stages, covering fifteen parasangs, to the river Teleboas. It was a fine stream, though not large, and many villages stood around it. The district was called Western Armenia. Its lieutenant-governor was Tiribazus, a friend of the king. Whenever the king visited, Tiribazus alone had the privilege of helping him onto his horse. Tiribazus rode up to the Hellenes with a group of cavalry. He sent an interpreter ahead to say that he wanted to speak with their leaders. The generals decided to hear him out. They came close enough to speak and asked what he wanted. He said he wished to make a treaty with them. He would not harm the Hellenes if they did not burn his houses and took only the provisions they needed. The generals were satisfied with this proposal, and a treaty was made on those terms.

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 bouquet, 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 on¹, began to split wood, that quickly first one and then another got up, and taking the log away 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.

From there they marched three stages, covering fifteen parasangs across a plain. All the while, Tiribazus followed with his own forces, staying more than a mile behind. Eventually they reached a palace surrounded by villages full of a wide variety of supplies. But while they were setting up camp that night, heavy snow fell. In the morning, they decided to quarter the regiments and their generals in the villages. No enemy was in sight, and this seemed prudent because of the deep snow. In the villages they had every kind of good provision: sacrificial animals, grain, old wines with a wonderful aroma, raisins, and vegetables of all kinds. But some men who had strayed from the camp reported seeing an army and many watchfires blazing in the night. The generals therefore decided it was not prudent to separate their quarters this way. They agreed to bring the troops together again. The troops reunited, especially since the sky was clear and the weather promised to be fine. But while they were camped in the open that night, another heavy snowfall came down. It completely covered the stacked weapons and the men lying on the ground. It cramped and crippled the pack animals. The men were very reluctant to get up. The snow had fallen gently over them as they lay warm and comfortable, forming a blanket except where it slipped off their shoulders. At last Xenophon got up and began splitting wood without his cloak on¹. Then one man after another quickly rose, took the log from him, and started splitting it. The rest followed, getting up to light fires and oil their bodies. A scented ointment was plentiful there, and they used it instead of oil. It was made from pig fat, sesame, bitter almonds, and turpentine. A sweet oil made from the same ingredients was also available.

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 Temenite², 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."

After this, they decided to split up again and take shelter in the villages. At the news, the soldiers rushed joyfully toward the sheltered houses and provisions, shouting as they went. But all who had foolishly burned the houses when they left them before now paid the price. They had to make do with poor quarters. One night, they sent a party from this place into the mountains under Democrates, a Temenite². Stragglers had reported seeing watchfires there. They chose Democrates because they could trust his judgment in finding out the truth. He had a gift for telling fact from fiction, and they had often relied on him successfully. He returned and reported that he had seen no watchfires. But he brought back a man carrying a Persian bow and quiver, and a sagaris, or battleaxe, like those carried by the Amazons. When asked "what country he came from," 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 why it had been gathered." He answered that "it consisted of Tiribazus and his own forces, supported by some Chalybian and Taochian mercenaries. Tiribazus had gathered it," he added, "intending to attack the Hellenes at the high mountain pass, in a narrow defile that was the only way through."

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 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.

When the generals heard the news, they decided to gather the troops and set out at once. They took the prisoner as a guide and left a garrison behind. Sophaenetus the Stymphalian commanded those who remained in the camp. Soon after they began crossing the hills, the light infantry marched ahead and spotted the enemy camp. Without waiting for the heavy infantry, they charged the enemy’s entrenchment with a loud shout. The natives heard the noise and clatter and did not stop to fight. They fled quickly, but some were killed despite their speed. The soldiers captured as many as twenty horses, along with Tiribazus’s tent and its contents. These included couches with silver feet and goblets. They also captured people who called themselves the butlers and bakers. When the generals of the heavy infantry heard the news, they decided to return to camp as quickly as possible. They feared that those left behind might be attacked. The recall was sounded, and the troops began to retreat. They reached camp that same day.