Chapter 5

The next day it was resolved that they should set off with all 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 parasangs¹. 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.

The next day, they decided to set off as quickly as possible, before the enemy could gather and occupy the narrow pass. They gathered their equipment and baggage and immediately began marching through deep snow, guided by several men. They crossed the high pass on the very day Tiribazus was supposed to attack them and reached their camp safely. From there, they marched three stages through deserted country, covering fifteen parassangs, to the Euphrates River. They crossed it in water up to their waists. The river’s sources were said to be nearby. From there, they marched three stages across flat country through deep snow, covering fifteen parasangs¹. The last of these marches was difficult. The north wind blew in their faces, drying everything out and numbing the men. One of the seers suggested that they offer a sacrifice to Boreas, and they did so. The wind grew less fierce, and everyone could see the effect. But the snow was six feet deep, and many baggage animals and slaves were lost, along with about thirty of the men.

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 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.

They spent the whole night making fires. Fortunately, there was plenty of wood at the camp, but those who arrived late had none. Those who had arrived earlier and made fires would not let the latecomers near them. They would do so only if the latecomers gave them a share of their grain or any other food they had. So everyone began exchanging goods. The snow melted where the fires were lit, and deep trenches formed down to the bare earth. There, they could 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.

After leaving these quarters, they marched over snow for the whole of the next day. Many of the men suffered from "boulimia" (or hunger-faintness). Xenophon, who was guarding the rear, came upon some men who had collapsed. He did not know what was wrong with them. But someone experienced in such matters told him that they clearly had boulimia. If they got something to eat, they would recover. Xenophon then went through the baggage train and claimed any food he could find. He handed it out to the sufferers himself or sent other able-bodied men to distribute it. As soon as the sufferers had eaten a mouthful, they got to their feet 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.

They marched on and on, and about dusk Cheirisophus reached a village. There he surprised some women and girls who had come out to fetch water. They were at a fountain outside the stockade. The women asked who the men were. The interpreters answered in Persian: "They were on their way from the king to the satrap." The women told them that the satrap was not at home, but a parasang farther on. Because it was late, the men went inside the stockade with the water-carriers to visit the village headman. Cheirisophus and as many of the troops as could do so found lodging there. The rest of the soldiers could not finish the march and had to spend the night outside, without food or fire. In those conditions, some of the men died.

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 mortified 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 strength², sprang up out of their lair and run upon the enemy, whilst those weary wights³ 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.

Bands of enemies constantly followed close behind the army. They seized disabled pack animals and fought one another over the carcasses. Disabled soldiers were also often left behind to die. Some had been struck by snow blindness, while others had lost toes to frostbite. Marching with something black in front of their eyes gave them some relief from the glare of the snow. For their feet, the only remedy was to keep moving without stopping for a moment and loosen their sandals at night. If they slept with their sandals on, the straps cut into their feet, and the sandals froze fast to them. This was partly because their old sandals had worn out. They now wore rawhide shoes made from freshly skinned ox hides. Driven by such desperate need, a group of men fell out and were left behind. They saw a dark patch of ground where the snow had clearly disappeared and guessed it had melted. They were right. A spring nearby could be seen steaming in a hollow. They turned aside to the spring and sat down, unwilling to go any farther. But Xenophon and his rearguard saw them. He begged and pleaded with them in every way he could not to stay behind. He told them that large bands of enemies were pursuing them. At last he grew angry. They simply told him to put a knife to their throats. They would not move another step. Then Xenophon thought it best to frighten the pursuing enemy, if possible, and keep them from attacking the disabled men. It was already dusk. The pursuers were advancing with much noise and commotion, arguing and quarreling over their spoils. Suddenly the rearguard, in full health and strength², sprang from their hiding place and charged the enemy. The weary men³ shouted as loudly as their sick throats allowed and clashed their spears against their shields. In terror, the enemy flung themselves through the snow into the hollow. Not one of them made another sound.

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 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.

Xenophon and his party told the sick that people would come for them the next day. Then they set off. Before they had gone half a mile, they came upon some soldiers resting on the snow, wrapped in their cloaks. They had posted no guard, and Xenophon’s men made them get up. The soldiers explained that those ahead would not move on. After passing the group, Xenophon sent his strongest light infantry ahead to find out what was causing the delay. They reported that the whole army was resting in the same way. So Xenophon’s men had no choice but to camp in the open too, without fire or supper. They posted what guards they could under the circumstances. As dawn approached, Xenophon sent his youngest men back to the sick. He ordered them to make the sick get up and force them to continue. Meanwhile, Cheirisophus had sent some of his men from the village where they were staying to ask how those at the rear were doing. Xenophon’s men were overjoyed to see them. They left the sick in their care to be carried into camp, then continued forward. Before they had gone twenty furlongs, they reached the village where Cheirisophus was staying. Once the two divisions had met, they decided it would be safe to lodge the regiments throughout the villages. Cheirisophus stayed where he was. The others drew lots for the villages they could see, then marched to their assigned villages with their detachments.

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; 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.

Here Polycrates, an Athenian company captain, asked for leave to pursue a venture of his own. He took the most active men in the division and ran to the village assigned to Xenophon. There he caught the villagers and their headman by surprise. He also found seventeen young horses being raised as tribute for the king. Finally, he found the headman's daughter, a bride who had been married only eight days. Her husband had gone out to hunt hares, so he escaped capture with the other villagers. The houses were underground, with entrances like the mouths of wells. Below ground, they were wide and spacious. Ramps had been dug for the pack animals, but people went down by ladder. Inside were goats, sheep, cattle, roosters and hens, along with their young. All the flocks and herds were kept indoors and fed green fodder. There were stores of wheat, barley, and vegetables inside, along with large bowls of barley wine. Grains of barley malt floated in the drink up to the rim. Reeds of different lengths, without joints, lay in the bowls. When you were thirsty, you had to put a reed in your mouth and suck. The drink was very strong without water mixed in. Some found it delicious, but the taste had to 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.

Xenophon invited the village headman to supper and told him not to worry. They would not take his children. Instead, before leaving, they would fill his house with good things in return for what they took. The headman only had to set an example and find some provisions for the army until they reached another tribe. He readily agreed and warmly showed them the cellar where the wine was buried. That night, everyone slept in comfort and plenty in the quarters they had taken as described. The headman was kept under guard, with his children safely in sight beside him.

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 everywhere, 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.

The next day, Xenophon took the headman and set off for Cheirisophus. They went from village to village, visiting the different parties at each one. Everywhere, Xenophon found the men feasting and enjoying themselves. In every village, the people insisted on serving them breakfast. Each table held at least half a dozen dishes: lamb, kid, pork, veal, poultry, and various kinds of wheat and barley bread. When someone wished to drink a neighbor's health as a courtesy, he would drag him to the big bowl. There, the neighbor had to dip his head and take a long drink, like an ox. Everywhere, the people insisted that the headman accept whatever he liked as a gift. But he accepted nothing, except when he spotted one of his relatives. Then he made a point of taking that person with him.

When they reached Cheirisophus they found a similar scene. There too 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.

When they reached Cheirisophus, they found a similar scene. There too, the men were feasting in their quarters, wearing garlands of wisps of hay and dry grass. Armenian boys in barbaric costumes were serving them. The men had to use gestures to show the boys what to do, as if they were deaf and dumb. After the first formalities, Cheirisophus and Xenophon greeted each other like close friends. Then they questioned the headman together through the Persian-speaking interpreter. "What is this country?" they asked. "Armenia," he replied. "Who are the horses being bred for?" "They are tribute for the king," he replied. "And what is the neighboring country?" "It is the land of the Chalybes," he said, and he described the road leading there. For the time being, Xenophon left, taking the headman back to his household and friends. He also gave the headman an oldish horse he had acquired. Xenophon had heard that the headman was a priest of the sun, so he could fatten the horse and sacrifice it. Otherwise, Xenophon feared it might die, because it had been injured by the long march. For himself, he chose the best of the colts and gave one to each of his fellow generals and officers. The horses here were smaller than Persian horses, but much more spirited. It was here too that their friend the headman explained how to wrap small bags or sacks around the feet of horses and other cattle when marching through snow. Without this precaution, the animals sank up to their bellies.