Chapter 2

The time came when it was no longer possible to capture provisions, going and returning to the camp in one day. In consequence of this, Xenophon took some guides from the Trapezuntines and led half the army out against the Drilae, leaving the other half to guard the camp. That was necessary, since the Colchians, who had been ousted from their houses, were assembled thickly, and sat eyeing them from the heights above; on the other hand the Trapezuntines, being friendly to the native inhabitants, were not for leading the Hellenes to places where it was easy to capture provisions. But against the Drilae, from whom they personally suffered, they would lead them with enthusiasm, up into mountainous and scarcely accessible fortresses, and against the most warlike people of any in the Pontus.

The time came when the soldiers could no longer gather provisions and return to camp in a single day. So Xenophon took guides from the Trapezuntines and led half the army against the Drilae. He left the other half to guard the camp. This was necessary because the Colchians, who had been driven from their homes, had gathered in large numbers. They watched the army from the heights above. The Trapezuntines were friendly with the local inhabitants, so they would not lead the Hellenes to places where provisions were easy to obtain. But they eagerly led them against the Drilae, who had caused the Trapezuntines suffering. The Drilae lived in mountainous fortresses that were difficult to reach, and they were the most warlike people in the Pontus.

But when the Hellenes had reached the uplands, the Drilae set fire to all their fastnesses which they thought could be taken easily, and beat a retreat; and except here and there a stray pig or bullock or other animal which had escaped the fire there was nothing to capture; but there was one fastness which served as their metropolis: into this the different streams of people collected; round it ran a tremendously deep ravine, and the approaches to the place were difficult. So the light infantry ran forward five or six furlongs in advance of the heavy infantry, and crossed the ravine; and seeing quantities of sheep and other things, proceeded to attack the place. Close at their heels followed a number of those who had set out on the foray armed with spears, so that the storming party across the ravine amounted to more than two thousand. But, finding that they could not take the place by a coup-de-main, as there was a trench running round it, mounded up some breadth, with a stockade on the top of the earthwork and a close-packed row of wooden bastions, they made an attempt to run back, but the enemy fell upon them from the rear. To get away by a sudden rush was out of the question, since the descent from the fortress into the ravine only admitted of moving in single file. Under the circumstances they sent to Xenophon, who was in command of the heavy infantry. The messenger came and delivered his message: "There is a fastness choke full of all sorts of stores, but we cannot take it, it is too strong; nor can we easily get away; the enemy rush out and deliver battle, and the return is difficult."

When the Hellenes reached the uplands, the Drilae set fire to all their strongholds that they thought could be taken easily. Then they retreated. There was nothing to capture except the occasional pig, bullock, or other animal that had escaped the fire. But one stronghold served as their chief town, and people from all over gathered there. A tremendously deep ravine surrounded it, and the approaches were difficult. The light infantry ran forward five or six furlongs ahead of the heavy infantry and crossed the ravine. Seeing large numbers of sheep and other goods, they began to attack the stronghold. Many of those who had set out on the raid with spears followed close behind them. So the attacking party across the ravine numbered more than two thousand. But they found that they could not take the stronghold by a sudden assault. A trench ran around it, with a broad earthwork, a stockade on top, and a closely packed row of wooden bastions. They tried to run back, but the enemy attacked them from behind. They could not escape in a sudden rush because the descent from the fortress into the ravine allowed only single file. So they sent a messenger to Xenophon, who commanded the heavy infantry. The messenger arrived and said: "There is a stronghold packed with all kinds of supplies, but it is too strong for us to take. We cannot easily get away either. The enemy rush out and fight us, and the way back is difficult."

On hearing this, Xenophon pushed forward his heavy infantry to the edge of the ravine, and there ordered them to take up a position, while he himself with the officers crossed over to determine whether it were better to withdraw the party already across, or to bring over the heavy infantry also, on the supposition that the fortress might be taken. In favour of the latter opinion it was agreed that the retreat must cost many lives, and the officers were further disposed to think, they could take the place. Xenophon consented, relying on the victims, for the seers had announced, that there would be a battle, but that the result of the expedition would be good. So he sent the officers to bring the heavy troops across, while he himself remained, having drawn off all the light infantry and forbidden all sharp-shooting at long range. As soon as the heavy infantry had arrived, he ordered each captain to form his company, in whatever way he hoped to make it most effective in the coming struggle. Side by side together they stood, these captains, not for the first time to-day competitors for the award of manly virtue. While they were thus employed, he—the general—was engaged in passing down his order along the ranks of the light infantry and archers respectively to march with the javelin on its thong and the arrow to the string, ready at the word "shoot" to discharge their missiles, while the light troops were to have their wallets well stocked with slingstones; lastly, he despatched his adjutants to see to the proper carrying out of these orders.

On hearing this, Xenophon moved his heavy infantry to the edge of the ravine and ordered them to take position there. He crossed with the officers to decide whether to withdraw the party already across or bring the heavy infantry over too, in case they could take the fortress. They agreed that retreat would cost many lives, and the officers were inclined to think they could take the fortress. Xenophon agreed, trusting the sacrificial victims. The seers had announced that there would be a battle, but that the expedition would end well. So he sent the officers to bring the heavy troops across. He stayed where he was, having pulled back all the light infantry and forbidden them to shoot at long range. As soon as the heavy infantry arrived, Xenophon ordered each captain to form his company for the coming struggle. Each captain was to arrange his men as he thought would make them most effective. The captains stood side by side, competing for the honor of manly virtue, as they had done before that day. While the captains were busy, Xenophon passed his orders down the ranks of the light infantry and archers. The javelin men were to march with their javelins on their throwing thongs, and the archers with arrows on their strings. They were to be ready to launch their missiles at the word "shoot". The light troops were also to fill their wallets with slingstones. Finally, Xenophon sent his adjutants to make sure these orders were carried out properly.

And now the preparations were complete: the officers and lieutenants and all others claiming to be peers of these, were drawn up in their several places. With a glance each was able to command the rest in the crescent-like disposition which the ground invited. Presently the notes of the battle hymn arose, the clarion spoke, and with a thrilling cry in honour of the warrior-god, commenced a rush of the heavy infantry at full speed under cover of a storm of missiles, lances, arrows, bullets, but most of all stones hurled from the hand with ceaseless pelt, while there were some who brought firebrands to bear. Overwhelmed by this crowd of missiles, the enemy left their stockades and their bastion towers, which gave Agasias the Stymphalian and Philoxenus of Pellene a chance not to be missed; laying aside their heavy arms, up they went in bare tunics only, and one hauled another up, and meantime another had mounted, and the place was taken, as they thought. Then the peltasts and light troops rushed in and began snatching what each man could. Xenophon the while, posted at the gates, kept back as many of the hoplites as he could, for there were other enemies now visible on certain strong citadel heights; and after a lapse of no long time a shout arose within, and the men came running back, some still clutching what they had seized; and presently here and there a wounded man; and mighty was the jostling about the portals. To the questions which were put to them the outpouring fugitives repeated the same story: there was a citadel within and enemies in crowds were making savage sallies and beating the fellows inside.

Now the preparations were complete. The officers, lieutenants, and all others who claimed equal rank had taken their places. The ground encouraged a crescent-shaped formation, and each could see the others at a glance. Soon the battle hymn rose, the trumpet sounded, and the men gave a thrilling cry in honor of the warrior god. Then the heavy infantry charged at full speed. A storm of missiles covered their advance: lances, arrows, bullets, and above all, stones thrown relentlessly by hand. Some men also attacked with firebrands. Overwhelmed by the barrage, the enemy abandoned their stockades and fortified towers. Agasias the Stymphalian and Philoxenus of Pellene seized the opportunity. They laid aside their heavy arms and climbed up wearing only their tunics. One man hauled another up, while another climbed up on his own. They thought the place was taken. Then the peltasts and light troops rushed in, each snatching whatever he could. Meanwhile, Xenophon stayed at the gates and held back as many hoplites as he could. Other enemies were now visible on some strong citadel heights. Before long, a shout went up inside, and the men came running back. Some were still clutching what they had seized, and soon wounded men appeared among them. There was fierce jostling at the gates. When questioned, the fleeing men all told the same story: there was a citadel inside. Crowds of enemies were charging out fiercely and beating back the men inside.

At that Xenophon ordered Tolmides the herald to proclaim: "Enter all who are minded to capture aught." In poured the surging multitude, and the counter-current of persons elbowing their passage in prevailed over the stream of those who issued forth, until they beat back and cooped up the enemy within the citadel again. So outside the citadel everything was sacked and pillaged by the Hellenes, and the heavy infantry took up their position, some about the stockades, others along the road leading up to the citadel. Xenophon and the officers meantime considered the possibility of taking the citadel, for if so, their safety was assured; but if otherwise, it would be very difficult to get away. As the result of their deliberations they agreed that the place was impregnable. Then they began making preparations for the retreat. Each set of men proceeded to pull down the palisading which faced themselves; further, they sent away all who were useless or who had enough to do to carry their burdens, with the mass of the heavy infantry accompanying them; the officers in each case leaving behind men whom they could severally depend on.

At that, Xenophon ordered Tolmides the herald to proclaim: "Come in, all who want to take anything." A surging crowd poured in, pushing against those trying to get out. The people entering prevailed and drove the enemy back into the citadel, trapping them inside again. The Hellenes then looted everything outside the citadel. Some of the heavy infantry took positions around the stockades, while others stood along the road leading up to the citadel. Meanwhile, Xenophon and the officers considered whether they could take the citadel. If they could, their safety would be assured. If not, it would be very difficult to get away. After deliberating, they agreed that the citadel could not be taken. They then began preparing to retreat. Each group of men pulled down the palisade in front of them. They also sent away everyone who was of no use or had enough to do carrying their burdens. Most of the heavy infantry went with them. Each officer left behind men he could depend on.

But as soon as they began to retreat, out rushed upon them from within a host of fellows, armed with wicker shields and lances, greaves and Paphlagonian helmets. Others might be seen scaling the houses on this side and that of the road leading into the citadel. Even pursuit in the direction of the citadel was dangerous, since the enemy kept hurling down on them great beams from above, so that to stop and to make off were alike dangerous, and night approaching was full of terrors. But in the midst of their fighting and their despair some god gave them a means of safety. All of a sudden, by whatsoever hand ignited, a flame shot up; it came from a house on the right hand, and as this gradually fell in, the people from the other houses on the right took to their heels and fled.

But as soon as they began to retreat, a host of men rushed out from inside. They carried wicker shields and lances and wore greaves and Paphlagonian helmets. Others could be seen climbing onto the houses on either side of the road leading to the citadel. Even pursuing the enemy toward the citadel was dangerous, because the enemy kept hurling great beams down on them from above. So it was dangerous both to stay and to retreat, and the approaching night was full of terrors. But in the midst of their fighting and despair, some god gave them a way to safety. Suddenly, a flame shot up from a house on the right, though no one knew who had started it. As the house gradually collapsed, the people in the other houses on the right turned and fled.

Xenophon, laying this lesson of fortune to heart, gave orders to set fire to the left-hand houses also, which being of wood burned quickly, with the result that the occupants of these also took to flight. The men immediately at their front were the sole annoyance now, and these were safe to fall upon them as they made their exit and in their descent. Here then the word was passed for all who were out of range to bring up logs of wood and pile them between themselves and the enemy, and when there was enough of these they set them on fire; they also fired the houses along the trench-work itself, so as to occupy the attention of the enemy. Thus they got off, though with difficulty, and escaped from the place by putting a fire between them and the enemy; and the whole city was burnt down, houses, turrets, stockading, and everything belonging to it except the citadel.

Xenophon took this lesson of fortune to heart and ordered the houses on the left to be set on fire too. They were made of wood and burned quickly, so their occupants fled. Only the men directly in front of them were still a threat. These men were sure to attack as they came out and made their descent. So the order went out for everyone out of range to bring logs and pile them between themselves and the enemy. When they had enough logs, they set them on fire. They also set fire to the houses along the trench-work to distract the enemy. In this way, they managed to escape from the place, though with difficulty, by putting a fire between themselves and the enemy. The whole city burned down, including its houses, towers, stockade, and everything else except the citadel.

Next day the Hellenes were bent on getting back with the provisions; but as they dreaded the descent to Trapezus, which was precipitous and narrow, they laid a false ambuscade, and a Mysian, called after the name of his nation (Mysus)¹, took ten of the Cretans and halted in some thick brushy ground, where he made a feint of endeavouring to escape the notice of the enemy. The glint of their light shields, which were of brass, now and again gleamed through the brushwood. The enemy, seeing it all through the thicket, were confirmed in their fears of an ambuscade. But the army meanwhile was quietly making its descent; and when it appeared that they had crept down far enough, the signal was given to the Mysian to flee as fast as he could, and he, springing up, fled with his men. The rest of the party, that is the Cretans, saying, "We are caught if we race," left the road and plunged into a wood, and tumbling and rolling down the gullies were saved. The Mysian, fleeing along the road, kept crying for assistance, which they sent him, and picked him up wounded. The party of rescue now beat a retreat themselves with their face to the foe, exposed to a shower of missiles, to which some of the Cretan bowmen responded with their arrows. In this way they all reached the camp in safety.

The next day, the Hellenes were determined to return with the provisions. But they feared the steep, narrow descent to Trapezus, so they set a false ambush. A Mysian named Mysus, after his people,¹ took ten Cretans and stopped in some thick brush. There he pretended to be trying to hide from the enemy. Their light brass shields glinted through the brush now and then. The enemy saw the glints through the thicket, confirming their fears of an ambush. Meanwhile, the army was quietly making its descent. When it seemed they had gone far enough, Mysus was signaled to flee as fast as he could. He sprang up and fled with his men. The Cretans said, "We are caught if we race," and left the road. They plunged into a wood and escaped by tumbling and rolling down the gullies. Mysus fled along the road, calling for help. A rescue party was sent and picked him up wounded. The rescuers then retreated while facing the enemy, who showered them with missiles. Some of the Cretan bowmen shot arrows back at them. In this way, they all reached the camp safely.