Chapter 6

Such was the conclusion of that day. On the following day the generals summoned an assembly of the soldiers, when it was resolved to invite the men of Sinope, and to take advice with them touching the remainder of the journey. In the event of their having to continue it on foot, the Sinopeans through their acquaintance with Paphlagonia would be useful to them; while, if they had to go by sea, the services of the same people would be at a premium; for who but they could furnish ships sufficient for the army? Accordingly, they summoned their ambassadors, and took counsel with them, begging them, on the strength of the sacred ties which bind Hellenes to Hellenes, to inaugurate the good reception they had spoken of, by present kindliness and their best advice.

That was how the day ended. The next day, the generals called an assembly of the soldiers. They decided to invite the men of Sinope and ask their advice about the rest of the journey. If the army had to continue on foot, the Sinopeans could help because they knew Paphlagonia. If the army had to go by sea, their help would be invaluable. Who else could provide enough ships for the army? So they summoned the Sinopean ambassadors and consulted them. They appealed to the sacred ties that bind Hellenes to Hellenes. They asked the ambassadors to begin the warm welcome they had promised by showing kindness now and offering their best advice.

Hecatonymus rose and wished at once to offer an apology with regard to what he had said about the possibility of making friends with the Paphlagonians. "The words were not intended," he said, "to convey a threat, as though they were minded to go to war with the Hellenes, but as meaning rather: albeit we have it in our power to be friendly with the barbarians, we will choose the Hellenes." Then, being urged to aid them by some advice, with a pious ejaculation, he commenced: "If I bestow upon you the best counsel I am able, God grant that blessings in abundance may descend on me; but if the contrary, may evil betide me! 'Sacred counsel ¹,' as the saying goes—well, sirs, if ever the saying held, it should hold I think to-day; when, if I be proved to have given you good counsel, I shall not lack panegyrists, or if evil, your imprecations will be many-tongued.

Hecatonymus stood up and immediately wanted to explain what he had said about the possibility of making friends with the Paphlagonians. "My words were not meant as a threat, as though the Paphlagonians intended to go to war with the Hellenes," he said. "I meant that, although we can be friendly with the barbarians, we will choose the Hellenes." Then, urged to help them with advice, he began with a prayer: "If I give you the best advice I can, may God grant me abundant blessings. But if I do otherwise, may evil befall me! 'Sacred counsel ¹,' as the saying goes. Well, gentlemen, if that saying has ever applied, I think it should apply today. If my advice proves good, I will have no shortage of praise. But if it proves bad, many voices will curse me.

"As to trouble, I am quite aware, we shall have much more trouble if you are conveyed by sea, for we must provide the vessels; whereas, if you go by land, all the fighting will evolve on you. Still, let come what may, it behoves me to state my views. I have an intimate acquaintance with the country of the Paphlagonians and their power. The country possesses the two features of hill and vale, that is to say, the fairest plains and the highest mountains. To begin with the mountains, I know the exact point at which you must make your entry. It is precisely where the horns of a mountain tower over both sides of the road. Let the merest handful of men occupy these and they can hold the pass with ease; for when that is done not all the enemies in the world could effect a passage. I could point out the whole with my finger, if you like to send any one with me to the scene.

“I know we will have much more trouble if you travel by sea, because we must provide the ships. But if you go by land, all the fighting will fall on you. Still, whatever happens, I must tell you what I think. I know the land of the Paphlagonians and their strength very well. Their country has both hills and valleys, with the finest plains and the highest mountains. Starting with the mountains, I know exactly where you must enter. There, two mountain peaks tower over the road, one on each side. If even a handful of men occupy the peaks, they can easily hold the pass. Once they have done that, not all the enemies in the world could get through. I could point it all out with my finger, if you would like to send someone there with me.

"So much for the mountain barrier. But the next thing I know is that there are plains and a cavalry which the barbarians themselves hold to be superior to the entire cavalry of the great king. Why, only the other day these people refused to present themselves to the summons of the king; their chief is too proud for that.

"So much for the mountain barrier. But beyond it, I know there are plains and cavalry. The barbarians themselves believe this cavalry is better than the great king's entire cavalry. Only the other day, these people refused to appear when the king summoned them. Their chief is too proud to do that.

"But now, supposing you were able to seize the mountain barrier, by stealth, or expedition, before the enemy could stop you; supposing further, you were able to win an engagement in the plain against not only their cavalry but their more than one hundred and twenty thousand infantry—you will only find yourself face to face with rivers, a series of them. First the Thermodon, three hundred feet broad, which I take it will be difficult to pass, especially with a host of foes in front and another following behind. Next comes the Iris river, three hundred feet broad; and thirdly, the Halys, at least two furlongs broad, which you could not possibly cross without vessels, and who is going to supply you with vessels? In the same way too the Parthenius is impassable, which you will reach if you cross the Halys. For my part, then, I consider the land-journey, I will not say difficult, but absolutely impossible for you. Whereas if you go by sea, you can coast along from here to Sinope, and from Sinope to Heraclea. From Heraclea onwards there is no difficulty, whether by land or by sea; for there are plenty of vessels at Heraclea."

“But suppose you could seize the mountain barrier by stealth or speed before the enemy could stop you. Suppose you could also win a battle on the plain. You would face not only their cavalry but more than 120,000 infantry. Even then, you would find a series of rivers ahead of you. First is the Thermodon, 300 feet wide. I think it would be difficult to cross, especially with enemies both ahead of you and behind you. Next is the Iris river, 300 feet wide. Third is the Halys, at least two furlongs wide. You could not possibly cross it without boats, and who would supply them? The Parthenius is also impossible to cross, and you would reach it after crossing the Halys. So I consider the journey by land not merely difficult, but absolutely impossible for you. But if you go by sea, you can follow the coast from here to Sinope, and then to Heraclea. From Heraclea onward, there is no difficulty, whether you travel by land or sea. There are plenty of boats at Heraclea.”

After he had finished his remarks, some of his hearers thought they detected a certain bias in them. He would not have spoken so, but for his friendship with Corylas, whose official representative he was. Others guessed he had an itching palm, and that he was hoping to receive a present for his "sacred advice." Others again suspected that his object was to prevent their going by foot and doing some mischief to the country of the Sinopeans. However that might be, the Hellenes voted in favour of continuing the journey by sea. After this Xenophon said: "Sinopeans, the army has chosen that method of procedure which you advise, and thus the matter stands. If there are sure to be vessels enough to make it impossible for a single man to be left behind, go by sea we will; but if part of us are to be left while part go by sea, we will not set foot on board the vessels. One fact we plainly recognise, strength is everything to us. So long as we have the mastery, we shall be able to protect ourselves and get provisions; but if we are once caught at the mercy of our foes, it is plain, we shall be reduced to slavery." On hearing this the ambassadors bade them send an embassy, which they did, to wit, Callimachus the Arcadian, and Ariston the Athenian, and Samolas the Achaean.

After he finished speaking, some of his listeners thought they detected a certain bias. They thought he would not have spoken that way if he were not Corylas's friend and official representative. Others guessed he was greedy and hoped to receive a gift for his "sacred advice." Still others suspected he wanted to stop them from traveling on foot and doing mischief in the country of the Sinopeans. Whatever the reason, the Hellenes voted to continue their journey by sea. Then Xenophon said: "Sinopeans, the army has chosen the course you advised. Here is where matters stand. If there are sure to be enough ships that no one will be left behind, we will go by sea. But if some of us must stay behind while others sail, we will not board the ships. We clearly recognize one fact: strength is everything to us. As long as we have the advantage, we can protect ourselves and get provisions. But if we are ever caught at the mercy of our enemies, we will clearly be made slaves." On hearing this, the ambassadors told them to send an embassy. They did so, sending Callimachus the Arcadian, Ariston the Athenian, and Samolas the Achaean.

So these set off, but meanwhile a thought shaped itself in the mind of Xenophon, as there before his eyes lay that vast army of Hellene hoplites, and that other array of peltasts, archers, and slingers, with cavalry to boot, and all in a state of thorough efficiency from long practice, hardened veterans, and all collected in Pontus, where to raise so large a force would cost a mint of money. Then the idea dawned upon him: how noble an opportunity to acquire new territory and power for Hellas, by the founding of a colony—a city of no mean size, moreover, said he to himself, as he reckoned up their own numbers—and besides themselves a population planted on the shores of Pontus. Thereupon he summoned Silanus the Ambraciot, the soothsayer of Cyrus above mentioned, and before breathing a syllable to any of the soldiers, he consulted the victims by sacrifice.

So these men set off, but meanwhile an idea took shape in Xenophon’s mind. Before him stood a vast army of Hellene hoplites, along with peltasts, archers, slingers, and cavalry. All were highly efficient from long practice, hardened veterans gathered in Pontus. To raise so large a force there would cost a fortune. Xenophon saw a noble opportunity to gain new territory and power for Hellas by founding a colony. As he counted their numbers, he thought it would be a substantial city. Besides themselves, there was a population settled on the shores of Pontus. So he summoned Silanus the Ambraciot, Cyrus’s soothsayer, who was mentioned earlier. Before saying a word to any of the soldiers, Xenophon made a sacrifice and consulted the victims.

But Silanus, in apprehension lest these ideas might embody themselves, and the army be permanently halted at some point or other, set a tale going among the men, to the effect that Xenophon was minded to detain the army and found a city in order to win himself a name and acquire power, Silanus himself being minded to reach Hellas with all possible speed, for the simple reason that he had still got the three thousand darics presented to him by Cyrus on the occasion of the sacrifice when he hit the truth so happily about the ten days. Silanus's story was variously received, some few of the soldiers thinking it would be an excellent thing to stay in that country; but the majority were strongly averse. The next incident was that Timasion the Dardanian, with Thorax the Boeotian, addressed themselves to some Heracleot and Sinopean traders who had come to Cotyora, and told them that if they did not find means to furnish the army with pay sufficient to keep them in provisions on the homeward voyage, all that great force would most likely settle down permanently in Pontus. "Xenophon has a pet idea," they continued, "which he urges upon us. We are to wait until the ships come, and then we are suddenly to turn round to the army and say: 'Soldiers, we now see the straits we are in, unable to keep ourselves in provisions on the return voyage, or to make our friends at home a little present at the end of our journey. But if you like to select some place on the inhabited seaboard of the Black Sea which may take your fancy and there put in, this is open to you to do. Those who like to go home, go; those who care to stay here, stay. You have got vessels now, so that you can make a sudden pounce upon any point you choose.'"

Silanus feared that these ideas might become reality and that the army might settle permanently somewhere. So he spread a story among the men. He said that Xenophon wanted to keep the army there and found a city to gain fame and power. Silanus himself wanted to reach Hellas as quickly as possible. The simple reason was that he still had the three thousand darics Cyrus had given him at the sacrifice, when he had correctly predicted what would happen within ten days. The soldiers had mixed reactions to Silanus’s story. A few thought it would be excellent to stay in that country, but most were strongly opposed. Next, Timasion the Dardanian and Thorax the Boeotian approached some Heracleot and Sinopean traders who had come to Cotyora. They told the traders that the army would most likely settle permanently in Pontus unless the traders found a way to pay the soldiers enough to buy provisions for the voyage home. "Xenophon has an idea he is eager for us to adopt," they continued. "We are to wait until the ships come. Then we are suddenly to turn to the army and say: ‘Soldiers, we now see the difficult position we are in. We cannot afford provisions for the voyage home, or even a small gift for our friends when we arrive. But you can choose any place you like along the inhabited coast of the Black Sea and land there. Those who want to go home can go. Those who want to stay here can stay. You have ships now, so you can make a sudden attack wherever you choose.’"

The merchants went off with this tale and reported it to every city they came to in turn, nor did they go alone, but Timasion the Dardanian sent a fellow-citizen of his own, Eurymachus, with the Boeotian Thorax, to repeat the same story. So when it reached the ears of the men of Sinope and the Heracleots, they sent to Timasion and pressed him to accept of a gratuity, in return for which he was to arrange for the departure of the troops. Timasion was only too glad to hear this, and he took the opportunity when the soldiers were convened in meeting to make the following remarks: "Soldiers," he said, "do not set your thoughts on staying here; let Hellas, and Hellas only, be the object of your affection, for I am told that certain persons have been sacrificing on this very question, without saying a word to you. Now I can promise you, if you once leave these waters, to furnish you with regular monthly pay, dating from the first of the month, at the rate of one cyzicene² a head per month. I will bring you to the Troad, from which part I am an exile, and my own state is at your service. They will receive me with open arms. I will be your guide personally, and I will take you to places where you will get plenty of money. I know every corner of the Aeolid, and Phrygia, and the Troad, and indeed the whole satrapy of Pharnabazus, partly because it is my birthplace, partly from campaigns in that region with Clearchus and Dercylidas³."

The merchants left with this story and reported it in every city they visited. They did not go alone. Timasion the Dardanian sent a fellow citizen, Eurymachus, along with Thorax the Boeotian, to repeat the same story. When the people of Sinope and the Heracleots heard it, they sent word to Timasion. They urged him to accept a reward in return for arranging the troops’ departure. Timasion was delighted. When the soldiers gathered for a meeting, he took the opportunity to speak. "Soldiers," he said, "do not think of staying here. Let Hellas, and Hellas alone, be the place you love. I am told that certain people have been offering sacrifices about this very question without telling you a word. Now, if you leave these waters, I promise you regular monthly pay, starting on the first of the month. Each man will receive one cyzicene² a month. I will bring you to the Troad, where I am an exile. My own city is at your service. Its people will welcome me with open arms. I will guide you myself and take you to places where you will get plenty of money. I know every corner of the Aeolid, Phrygia, and the Troad, and indeed the whole satrapy of Pharnabazus. I know the region partly because I was born there and partly because I campaigned there with Clearchus and Dercylidas³."

No sooner had he ceased than up got Thorax the Boeotian. This was a man who had a standing battle with Xenophon about the generalship of the army. What he said was that, if they once got fairly out of the Euxine, there was the Chersonese, a beautiful and prosperous country, where they could settle or not, as they chose. Those who liked could stay; and those who liked could return to their homes; how ridiculous then, when there was so much territory in Hellas and to spare, to be poking about⁴ in the land of the barbarian. "But until you find yourselves there," he added, "I, no less than Timasion, can guarantee you regular pay." This he said, knowing what promises had been made Timasion by the men of Heraclea and Sinope to induce them to set sail.

As soon as he finished speaking, Thorax the Boeotian stood up. Thorax had an ongoing dispute with Xenophon over command of the army. He said that once they were safely out of the Euxine, they would find the Chersonese, a beautiful and prosperous country. They could choose whether or not to settle there. Those who wanted to stay could stay, and those who wanted to return home could do so. With so much land to spare in Hellas, how ridiculous it was to be poking around⁴ in the land of the barbarian. "But until you get there," he added, "I can guarantee you regular pay, just as Timasion can." He said this knowing what the men of Heraclea and Sinope had promised Timasion to persuade them to set sail.

Meanwhile Xenophon held his peace. Then up got Philesius and Lycon, two Achaeans: "It was monstrous," they said, "that Xenophon should be privately persuading people to stop there, and consulting the victims for that end, without letting the army into the secret, or breathing a syllable in public about the matter." When it came to this, Xenophon was forced to get up, and speak as follows: "Sirs, you are well aware that my habit is to sacrifice at all times; whether in your own behalf or my own, I strive in every thought, word, and deed to be directed as is best for yourselves and for me. And in the present instance my sole object was to learn whether it were better even so much as to broach the subject, and so take action, or to have absolutely nothing to do with the project. Now Silanus the soothsayer assured me by his answer of what was the main point: 'the victims were favourable.' No doubt Silanus knew that I was not unversed myself in his lore, as I have so often assisted at the sacrifice; but he added that there were symptoms in the victims of some guile or conspiracy against me. That was a happy discovery on his part, seeing that he was himself conspiring at the moment to traduce me before you; since it was he who set the tale going that I had actually made up my mind to carry out these projects without procuring your consent. Now, for my part, if I saw that you were in any difficulties, I should set myself to discover how you might capture a city, on the understanding of course that all who wished might sail away at once, leaving those who did not wish, to follow at a later date, with something perhaps in their pockets to benefit their friends at home. Now, however, as I see that the men of Heraclea and Sinope are to send you ships to assist you to sail away, and more than one person guarantees to give you regular monthly pay, it is, I admit, a rare chance to be safely piloted to the haven of our hopes, and at the same time to receive pay for our preservation. For myself I have done with that dream, and to those, who came to me to urge these projects, my advice is to have done with them. In fact, this is my view. As long as you stay together united as to-day, you will command respect and procure provisions; for might certainly exercises a right over what belongs to the weaker. But once broken up, with your force split into bits, you will neither be able to get subsistence, nor indeed will you get off without paying dearly for it. In fact, my resolution coincides precisely with yours. It is that we should set off for Hellas, and if any one stops behind, or is caught deserting before the whole army is in safety, let him be judged as an evil-doer. Pray let all who are in favour of this proposition hold up their hands."

Meanwhile, Xenophon remained silent. Then Philesius and Lycon, two Achaeans, stood up. "It was outrageous," they said, "that Xenophon was privately persuading people to stay there and consulting the sacrificial victims for that purpose. He had not told the army about it or said a word in public." At this, Xenophon was forced to stand up and speak: "Sirs, you know that I regularly offer sacrifices, both for your sake and for mine. In everything I think, say, and do, I try to be guided toward what is best for you and me. In this case, I only wanted to learn whether it was better even to raise the subject and take action, or to have nothing at all to do with the plan. "Now Silanus the soothsayer assured me of the main point: 'the victims were favorable.' Silanus surely knew that I was not ignorant of his craft, since I have often assisted at sacrifices. But he added that the victims showed signs of some trick or conspiracy against me. That was a lucky discovery for him, since he was himself plotting at that moment to slander me before you. He was the one who started the story that I had already decided to carry out these plans without your consent. "For my part, if I saw that you were in difficulty, I would try to find a way for you to capture a city. Of course, anyone who wished could sail away at once. Those who did not wish to leave could follow later, perhaps with some money to help their friends at home. "But now I see that the people of Heraclea and Sinope are sending you ships to help you sail away. More than one person has also promised to give you regular monthly pay. I admit that this is a rare chance to be guided safely to the destination we hope for, and to be paid while we secure our own safety. As for me, I have given up that dream. I advise those who came to urge these plans on me to give them up too. "This is how I see it. As long as you stay together and united as you are today, you will command respect and get provisions. For the strong certainly claim a right to what belongs to the weak. But once you break up and your force is scattered, you will be unable to get food. You will not get away without paying dearly for it either. "So my decision is exactly the same as yours. We should set off for Hellas. If anyone stays behind or is caught deserting before the whole army is safe, let him be judged as a wrongdoer. Please, all who favor this proposal, raise your hands."

They all held them up; only Silanus began shouting and vainly striving to maintain the right of departure for all who liked to depart. But the soldiers would not suffer him, threatening him that if he were himself caught attempting to run away they would inflict the aforesaid penalty. After this, when the Heracleots learned that the departure by sea was resolved upon, and that the measure itself emanated from Xenophon, they sent the vessels indeed; but as to the money which they had promised to Timasion and Thorax as pay for the soldiers, they were not as good as their word, in fact they cheated them both. Thus the two who had guaranteed regular monthly pay were utterly confounded, and stood in terror of the soldiers. What they did then, was to take to them the other generals to whom they had communicated their former transactions (that is to say, all except Neon the Asniaean, who, as lieutenant-general, was acting for Cheirisophus during his continued absence). This done they came in a body to Xenophon and said that their views were changed. As they had now got the ships, they thought it best to sail to the Phasis, and seize the territory of the Phasians (whose present king was a descendant of Aeetes⁵). Xenophon's reply was curt:—Not one syllable would he have to say himself to the army in this matter, "But," he added, "if you like, you can summon an assembly and have your say." Thereupon Timasion the Dardanian set forth as his opinion:—It were best to hold no parliament at present, but first to go and conciliate, each of them, his own officers. Thus they went away and proceeded to execute their plans.

They all raised their hands. Only Silanus shouted and tried in vain to defend the right of anyone who wished to leave. But the soldiers would not let him. They threatened to inflict the penalty mentioned earlier if they caught him trying to run away. Afterward, the Heracleots learned that the soldiers had decided to leave by sea and that Xenophon had proposed the plan. They sent the ships, but they broke their promise to Timasion and Thorax to provide money for the soldiers' pay. In fact, they cheated them both. The two men had guaranteed regular monthly pay and were now completely at a loss. They were terrified of the soldiers. So they brought in the other generals they had told about their earlier dealings. These were all the generals except Neon the Asniaean. He was acting as lieutenant-general for Cheirisophus, who was still absent. Together, they went to Xenophon and said they had changed their minds. Now that they had the ships, they thought it best to sail to the Phasis and seize the Phasians' territory. The Phasians' current king was a descendant of Aeetes⁵. Xenophon replied curtly that he would not say a word to the army about the matter himself. "But," he added, "if you like, you can summon an assembly and have your say." Timasion the Dardanian then said he thought it best not to hold an assembly yet. First, each general should go and win over his own officers. So they went away and set about carrying out their plans.