Book 4, Part 1 of Xenophon's Anabasis 1. It was now about the last watch, and enough of the night remained to allow them to cross the valley under cover of darkness, when, at the word of command, they rose and set off on their march, reaching the mountains at daybreak. At this stage of the march, Charisyphus, at the head of his own division, with a whole of the light troops, led the van, while Xenophon followed behind with the heavy infantry of the rearguard, but without any light troops, since there seemed to be no danger of pursuit or attack from the rear, while they were making their way uphill. Charisyphus reached the summit without any of the enemy perceiving him, then he led on slowly, and the rest of the army followed, wave upon wave, cresting the summit, and ascending into the villages which nestled in the hollows and recesses of the hills. Thereupon the Carduchians abandoned their dwelling places, and with the wives and children fled to the mountains, so there was plenty of provisions to be got for the mere trouble of taking, and the homesteads too were well supplied with the copious store, bronze vessels, and utensils, which the Helans kept their hands off, abstaining at the same time from all pursuit of the folk themselves, gently handling them, in hopes that the Carduchians might be willing to give them friendly passage through their country, since they too were enemies of the king. Only they helped themselves to such provisions as fell in their way, which indeed was a sheer necessity. But the Carduchians neither gave ear when they called them, nor showed any other friendly sign, and now, as the last of the Helans descended into the villages from the pass, they were already in the dark, since, owing to the narrowness of the road, the whole day had been spent in the ascent and descent. At that instant a party of the Carduchians, who had collected, made an attack on the hindmost men, killing some and wounding others with stones and arrows, though it was quite a small body who attacked. The fact was, the approach of the Hellenic army had taken them by surprise. If, however, they had mustered in larger force at this time, the chances are that a large portion of the army would have been annihilated. As it was, they got into quarters and bivouacked in the villages that night, while the Carduchians kept many watchfires blazing in a circle on the mountains, and kept each other in sight all round. But with the dawn, the generals and officers of the Helans met and resolved to proceed, taking only the necessary number of stout baggage animals, and leaving the weaklings behind. They resolved further to let go free all the lately captured slaves in the host, for the peace of the march was necessarily rendered slow by the quantity of animals and prisoners. And the number of non-competence in attendance on these was excessive, while, with such a crowd of human beings to satisfy, twice the amount of provisions had to be procured and carried. These resolutions passed, they caused a proclamation by Herald to be made for their enforcement. When they had breakfasted, and the march recommenced, the generals planted themselves a little to one side in a narrow place, and when they found any of the aforesaid slaves or other properties still retained, they confiscated them. The soldiers yielded obedience, except where some smuggler, prompted by desire of a good-looking boy or woman, managed to make off with his prize. During this day they contrived to get along after a fashion, now fighting, and now resting. But on the next day they were visited by a great storm, in spite of which they were obliged to continue the march, owing to insufficiency or provisions. Carisophus was as usual leading in front, while Xenophon headed the rear-guard, when the enemy began a violent and sustained attack. At one narrow place after another they came up quite close, pouring in volleys of arrows and sling-stones, so that the Helens had no choice but to make sallies in pursuit, and then again recoil, making but very little progress. Over and over again Xenophon would send an order to the front to slacken pace, when the enemy were pressing their attacks severely. As a rule, when the word was so passed up, Carisophus slackened. But sometimes, instead of slackening, Carisophus quickened, sending down a counter-order to the rear to follow on quickly. It was clear that there was something or other happening, but there was no time to go to the front and discover the cause of the hurry. Under the circumstances the march, at any rate in the rear, became very like a rout, and here a brave man lost his life, Cleonamus the Laconian, shot with an arrow in the ribs right through Shield and Corselet, as also Bassius, an Arcadian, shot clean through the head. As soon as they reached a halting place, Xenophon, without more ado, came up to Carisophus, and took him to task for not having waited. Whereby, he said, we were forced to fight and flee at the same moment, and now it has cost us the lives of two fine fellows. They are dead, and we were not able to pick up their bodies or bury them. Carisophus answered, look up there, pointing as he spoke to the mountain. Do you see how inaccessible it all is? Only this one road, which you see, going straight up, and on it all that crowd of men who have seized and are guarding the single exit. That is why I hastened on, and why I could not wait for you, hoping to be beforehand with them yonder in seizing the pass. The guides we have got say there is no other way. And Xenophon replied, but I have got two prisoners also. The enemy annoyed us so much that we laid an ambush-gade for them, which also gave us time to recover our breaths. We killed some of them, and did our best to catch one or two alive, for this very reason, that we might have guides who knew the country to depend upon. The two were brought up at once, and questioned separately. Did they know of any other road than the one visible? The first said no. And in spite of all sorts of terrors applied to extract a better answer, no, he persisted. When nothing could be got out of him, he was killed before the eyes of his fellow. This latter then explained, yonder man said he did not know, because he has got a daughter married to a husband in those parts. I can take you, he added, by a good road practicable even for beasts. And when asked whether there was any point on it difficult to pass, he replied that there was a cold which it would be impossible to pass unless it were occupied in advance. Then it was resolved to summon the officers of the Light Infantry, and some of those of the Heavy Infantry, and to acquaint them with the State of Affairs, and ask them whether any of them were minded to distinguish themselves, and would step forward as volunteers on an expedition. Two or three Heavy Infantry soldiers stepped forward at once, to Arkadians, a Rostonomous of Methodrium, and a Gaseous of Stimphalus, and in emulation of these, a third, also an Arkadian, Calimacus from Parasia, who said he was ready to go, and would get volunteers from the whole army to join him. I know, he added, there will be no lack of youngsters to follow where I lead. After that they asked, were there any Captains of Light Infantry willing to accompany the expedition? Aristius, a Chian, who on several occasions proved his usefulness to the army on such service, volunteered. Number two. It was already late afternoon when they ordered the Storming Party to take a snatch of food and set off, then they bound the guide and headed him over to them. The agreement was, that if they succeeded in taking the summit, they were to guard the position that night, and at daybreak to give a signal by bugle. At this signal the party on the summit were to attack the enemy in occupation of the visible pass, while the generals with the main body would bring up their suckers, making their way up with what speed they might. With this understanding, off they set, two thousand strong, and there was a heavy downpour of rain, but Xenophon, with his rearguard, began advancing to the visible pass, so that the enemy might fix his attention on this road, and the party creeping round might, as much as possible, elude observation. Now when the rearguard, so advancing, had reached a ravine which they must cross in order to strike up the steep, at that instant the barbarians began rolling down great boulders, each a wagon load, some larger, some smaller. Against the rocks they crashed and splintered flying like sling stones in every direction, so that it was absolutely out of the question even to approach the entrance of the pass. Some of the officers finding themselves balked at this point, kept trying other ways, nor did they desist till darkness set in, and then when they thought they would not be seen retiring, they returned to supper. Some of them who had been on duty in the rearguard had had no breakfast in so happened. However the enemy never ceased rolling down their stones all through the night, as was easy to infer from the booming sound. The party with the guide made a circuit and surprised the enemy's guards seated round their fire, and after killing some, and driving out the rest, took their places, thinking that they were in possession of the height. As a matter of fact they were not, for above them lay a breast-like hill, skirted by the narrow road on which they had found the guard seated. Still, from the spot in question there was an approach to the enemy, who were seated on the pass before mentioned. Here then they passed the night, but at the first glimpse of dawn they marched stealthily and in battle-order against the enemy. There was a mist, so that they could get quite close without being observed. But as soon as they caught sight of one another, the trumpet sounded, and with a loud cheer they rushed upon the fellows, who did not wait their coming but left the road and made off, with a loss of only a few lives however, so nimble were they. Carisapher sent his men, catching the sound of the bugle, charged up by the well-marked road, while others of the generals pushed their way up by pathless routes, where each division chanced to be, the men mounting as they were best able, and hoisting one another up by means of their spears, and these were the first to unite with the party who had already taken the position by storm. Xenophon, with a rearguard, followed the path which the party with the guide had taken, since it was easiest for the beasts of Berthen. One half of his men he had posted in rear of the baggage animals, the other half he had with himself. In their course they encountered a crest above the road, occupied by the enemy, whom they must either dislodge or be themselves cut off from the rest of the helens. The men by themselves could have taken the same route as the rest, but the baggage animals could not mount by any other way than this. Here then, with shouts of encouragement to each other, they dashed at the hill with their storming columns, not from all sides, but leaving an avenue of escape for the enemy if he chose to avail himself of it. For a while, as the men scrambled up where each best could, the natives kept up a fire of arrows and darts, yet did not receive them at close quarters, but presently left the position in flight. No sooner, however, were the helens safely past this crest than they came in sight of another in front of them, also occupied, and deemed it advisable to storm it also. But now it struck Xenophon that if they left the ridge just taken unprotected in their rear, the enemy might re-occupy it and attack the baggage animals as they filed past, presenting a long extended line owing to the narrowness of the road by which they made their way. To obviate this, he left some officers in charge of the ridge.  While he in person with the rest of the men attacked the second ridge, this they took in the same fashion, only to find that they had still a third knoll left, far the steepest of the three. This was none other than the mamalon mentioned as above the outpost, which had been captured over their fire by the volunteer storming party in the night. But when the helens were close, the natives, to the astonishment of all, without a struggle, deserted the knoll. It was conjectured that they had left their position from fear of being encircled and besieged, but the fact was that they, from their higher ground, had been able to see what was going on in the rear, and had all made off in this fashion to attack the rear guard. So then Xenophon, with the youngest men, scaled up to the top, leaving orders to the rest to march on slowly, so as to allow the hindmost companies to unite with them. They were to advance by the road, and when they reached the level, to ground arms. Meanwhile, the Argyve Archagoras arrived in full flight with the announcements that they had been dislodged from the first ridge, and that Cephisodorus and Amphicrates were slain, with a number of others besides, all in fact, who had not jumped down the crags, and so reached the rear guard. After this achievement, the barbarians came to a crest facing the mamalon, and Xenophon held a colloquy with them by means of an interpreter, to negotiate a truce, and demanded back the dead bodies. These they agreed to restore if he would not burn their houses, and to these terms Xenophon agreed. Meanwhile, as the rest of the army filed past, and the colloquy was proceeding, all the people of the place had time to gather gradually, and the enemy formed, and as soon as the Helens began to descend from the mamalon to join the others where the troops were halted, enrush the foe in full force with hue and cry. They reached the summit of the mamalon from which Xenophon was descending, and began rolling down crags. One man's leg was crushed to pieces. Xenophon was left by his shield-bearer, who carried off his shield, but Eurylocus of Lucia, an Arcadian hoplite, ran up to him, and threw his shield in front to protect both of them. The two together beat a retreat, and so too the rest, and joined the serried ranks of the main body. After this the whole Hellenic force united, and took up their quarters there in numerous beautiful dwellings with an ample store of provisions, for there was wine so plentiful that they had it in cemented cisterns. Xenophon and Charisyphus arranged to recover the dead, and in return restored the guide. Afterwards they did everything for the dead, according to the means at their disposal, with the customary honours paid to good men. Next day they set off without a guide, and the enemy, by keeping up a continuous battle, and occupying in advance every narrow place, obstructed passage after passage. Accordingly, whenever the van was obstructed, Xenophon, from behind, made a dash up the hills and broke the barricade, and freed the vanguard by endeavouring to get above the obstructing enemy. Whenever the rear was the point attacked, Charisyphus, in the same way, made a detour, and by endeavouring to mount higher than the barricaders, freed the passage for the rear rank. And in this way, turn and turn about, they rescued each other, and paid unflinching attention to their mutual needs. At times it happened that, the relief party having mounted, encountered considerable annoyance in their descent from the barbarians, who were so agile that they allowed them to come up quite close before they turned back, and still escaped, partly no doubt because the only weapons they had to carry were bows and slings. They were, moreover, excellent archers, using bows nearly three cubits long, and arrows more than two cubits. When discharging the arrow, they draw the string by getting a purchase with the left foot planted forward on the lower end of the bow. The arrows pierced through Shield and Curus, and the Helens, when they got hold of them, used them as javelins, fitting them to their thongs. In these districts, the Cretans were highly serviceable. They were under the command of Stratocles, a Cretan. 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 Sophonite-assistinphalian 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 a tent of two abasers, at 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. End of Book 4 Part 1 Book 4 Part 2 of Xenophon's Anabasis This is a Librivox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org Recording by Andrew Coleman Anabasis by Xenophon Translated by H.G.Dakins Book 4 Part 2 Number 3 During this day they bivouacked in the villages which lie above the plain of the River Contritis, which is about two hundred feet broad. It is the frontier river between Armenia and the country of the Carduchians. Here the Helens recruited themselves, and the sight of the plain filled them with joy, for the river was but six or seven furlongs distant from the mountains of the Carduchians. For the moment then, they bivouacked right happily. They had their provisions. They had also many memories of the labours that were now passed, seeing that the last seven days spent in traversing the country of the Carduchians was in one long continuous battle, which had cost them more suffering than the whole of their troubles at the hands of the King and Tizofernes put together. As though they were truly quid of them forever, they laid their heads to rest in sweet content. But with the morrows dawned, they aspired horsemen at a certain point across the river, armed capipai as if they meant to dispute the passage. Infantry too, drawn up in line upon the banks above the cavalry, threatened to prevent them debouching into Armenia. These troops were Armenian and Mardian, and Chaldean mercenaries belonging to Arantas and Artuchas. The last of the three, the Chaldeans, were said to be a free and brave set of people. They were armed with long wicker shields and lances. The banks before named on which they were drawn up were a hundred yards or more distant from the river, and the single road which was visible was one leading upwards and looking like a regular artificially constructed highway. At this point the Helens endeavored to cross, but on their making the attempt the water proved to be more than breast deep, and the river bed was rough with great slippery stones, and as to holding their arms in the water, it was out of the question. The streams swept them away, or if they tried to carry them over the head, the body was left exposed to the arrows and other missiles. Accordingly, they turned back and encamped there by the bank of the river. At the point where they had themselves been last night, up on the mountains, they could see the Khartuchians collected in large numbers and under arms, a shadow of deep despair again descended on their souls, whichever way they turned their eyes. In front lay the river so difficult to forward, over on the other side a new enemy threatening to bar the passage. On the hills behind the Khartuchians ready to fall upon their rear should they once again attempt to cross. Thus for this day and night they halted, sunk in perplexity. But Xenophon had a dream. In his sleep he thought that he was bound in fetters, but these, of their own accord, fell from off him, so that he was loosed and could stretch his legs as freely as he wished. So, at the first glimpse of daylight, he came to Charisaphas and told him that he had hopes that all things would go well, and related to him his dream. The other was well pleased, and with the first faint gleam of dawn the generals all were present and did sacrifice, and the victims were favourable in the first essay. Retiring from the sacrifice, the generals and officers issued an order to the troops to take their breakfasts, and while Xenophon was taking his, two young men came running up to him, for everyone knew that, breakfasting or supping, he was always accessible, or that even if asleep anyone was welcome to awaken him, who had anything to say bearing on the business of war. What the two young men had at this time to say was that they had been collecting brushwood for fire, and had presently aspired on the opposite side, in among some rocks which came down to the river's brink, an old man and some women and little girls depositing, as it would appear, bags of clothes in a cavernous rock. When they saw them, it struck them that it was safe to cross. In any case, the enemy's cavalry could not approach at this point. So they stripped naked, expecting to have to swim for it, and with their long knives in their hands began crossing, but going forward crossed without being wet up to the fork. Once across they captured the clothes, and came back again. Accordingly Xenophon at once poured out a libation himself, and bade the two young fellows fill the cup and pray to the gods, who show to him this vision and to them a passage, to bring all other blessings for them to accomplishment. When he had poured out the libation, he had once led the two young men to Churisophus, and they repeated to him their story. Churisophus, on hearing it, offered libations also, and when they had performed them, they sent a general order to the troops to pack up ready for starting, while they themselves called a meeting of the generals and took counsel how they might best affect a passage, so as to overpower the enemy in front without suffering any loss from the men behind, and they resolved that Churisophus should leave the van and cross with half the army, the other half still remaining behind under Xenophon, while the baggage animals and the mob of settlers were to cross between the two divisions. When all was duly ordered, the move began, the young men pioneering them and keeping the river on their left. It was about four furlongs march to the crossing, and as they moved along the bank, the squadrons of cavalry kept pace with them on the opposite side. But when they had reached a point in align with the fort, and the cliff-like banks of the river, they groaned at arms and first Churisophus himself placed a wreath upon his brows, and throwing off his cloak resumed his arms, passing the order to all the rest to do the same, and made the captains form their companies in open order in deep columns, some to left and some to right of himself. Meanwhile the soothsayers were slaying a victim over the river, and the enemy were letting fly their arrows and sling-stones, but as yet they were out of range. As soon as the victims were favourable, all the soldiers began singing the battle hymn, and with the notes of the pion mingled the shouting of the men, accompanied by the shriller chant of the women, for there were many women in the camp. So Churisophus with his detachment stepped in. But Xenophon, taking the most active body to off the rear-guard, began running back at full speed to the passage facing the egress into the hills of Armenia, making a faint of crossing at that point to intercept their cavalry on the river bank. The enemy, seeing Churisophus's detachment easily crossing the stream, and Xenophon's men racing back, were seized with the fear of being intercepted and fled at full speed in the direction of the road which emerges from the stream. But when they would come opposite to it, they reached uphill towards their mountains. Then Lycius, who commanded the cavalry, and Ice-Chinese, who was in command of the Division of Light Infantry attached to Churisophus, no sooner saw them fleeing so lustily than they were after them, and the soldiers shouted not to fall behind, but to follow them right up to the mountains. Churisophus, on getting across, fell bored to pursue the cavalry, but advanced by the bluffs which reached the river to attack the enemy overhead, and these, seeing their own cavalry fleeing, seeing also the heavy infantry advancing upon them, abandoned the heights above the river. Xenophon, as soon as he saw that things were going well on the other side, fell back with all speed to join the troops engaged in crossing, for by this time the Kardashians were well in sight, so they had to take into the plane to attack their rear. Churisophus was in possession of the higher ground, and Lycius, with his little squadron in an attempt to follow up the pursuit, had captured some stragglers of their baggage-bearers, and with them some handsome apparel and drinking-cups. The baggage-animals of the Helens, and the mob of non-competence were just about to cross, when Xenophon turned his troops right about to face the Kardashians. He formed his line, passing the order to the captains each to form his company into sections, and to deploy them into line by the left, the captains of companies and lieutenants in command of sections to advance to meet the Kardashians, while the rear leaders would keep their position facing the river. But when the Kardashians saw the rear-guards so stripped of the mass, and looking now like a mere handful of men, they advanced all the more quickly, singing certain songs the while. Then as matters were safe with him, the Helsts and slingers and archers to join Xenophon with orders to carry out his instructions. There were in the act of recrossing, when Xenophon, who saw their intention, sent a messenger across, bidding them wait there at the river's brink without crossing. But as soon as he and his detachment began to cross, they were to step in facing him in two flanking divisions, right and left of them, as if in the act of crossing. They were their javelins on the thong and the bowmen with their arrows on the string, but they were not to advance far into the stream. The order passed to his own men was wait till you are within slingshot and the shield rattles, then sound the pion and charge the enemy. As soon as he turns and the bugle from the river sounds for the attack, you will face about to the right, the rear-rank leading and the hold detachment falling back in his original rank so as to avoid tram-lank one another. The briefest man is he who gets to the other side first, the Carduchians, seeing that the remnant left was the most handful, for many, even of those whose duty it was to remain, had gone off in their anxiety to protect their beasts of burden or their personal kit or their mistresses, bore down upon them valourously and opened fire with sling-stones and arrows. But the hell ends, dashed at them at a run and they did not await them, armed well enough for mountain warfare and with a view to sudden attack followed by speedy flight they were not by any means sufficiently equipped for an engagement at close quarters. At this instant the signal of the bugle was heard. Its notes added wings to the flight of the barbarians, but the hell ends turned right about in the opposite direction and betook themselves to the river of the enemy here a man and there another perceived and running back to the river let fly their arrows and wounded a few but the majority even when the hell ends were well across were still to be seen pursuing their flight. The detachment which came to meet Xenophon's men carried away by their valour advanced further than they had need to and had to cross back again in the rear of Xenophon's men and of these too the passage affected they fell into line about midday 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 Kardashians 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 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 15 parasangs to the river Telaboas this was a fine stream though not large and there were many villages about it the district was named Western Armenia 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 Helens 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 Helens 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 term suggested from this place they marched three stages 15 parasangs through plain country to a basis the wild 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 proceedings 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 sleeper's shoulders and it was not until Xenophon roused himself to get up his cloak on began to split wood that quickly first one and then another got up and taking the log away from him fell to splitting there at the rest followed suit got up and began kindling fire and oiling their bodies for there was a scented incuent to be found there in abundance which they used instead of oil it was made from pigs fat sesame, bitter almonds and turpentine 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 up into the mountains where the stragglers reported having seen watch fires the leader selected was a man whose judgment 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 watch fires but he had got a man whom he brought back with him some of his friends or battle acts 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 Tirabezis 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 Tirabezis at the head of his own forces he added meaning to attack the Helens on the high mountain pass in a defile which was the sole passage end of book four part two book four part three of Xenophon's Anabasis this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Andrew Coleman translated by H.G. Deakins book four part three number five 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 had once began their march through deep snow with several guides and crossing the high pass the same day in which Tirabezis was to ever attack them from this point they marched three desert stages fifteen parasangs 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 parasangs 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 they spent the whole night in kindling fire for there was fortunately no dearth of wood at the holding place and 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 latecomers near the fires unless they would in return give a share of their corn or of any other vitals 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 where the mortars they marched the whole of the next day over snow and many of the men were afflicted with bulimia or hunger faintness Xenophon who was guarding the rear came upon some men who had dropped down and he did not know what ailed them but someone who was experienced in such matters suggested to him that they had evidently got bulimia 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 on and on they marched and about dusk Charisyphus reached a village and surprised some women and girls who had come from the village to fetch water at the fountain outside the stockade the interpreters answered for them in person 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 a way of parasang further on as it was late they entered with the water carriers within the stockade to visit the headman of the village accordingly Charisyphus 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 cross out without food and without fire under the circumstances some of the men perished on the heels of the army hung perpetually bands of the enemy snatching away disabled baggage animals and fighting with each other over the carcasses 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 of the people 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 oxides 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 loath to go a step further but Xenophon with his rearguard perceived them and begged and implored them 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 further 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 plenitude of health and strength sprang up out of their lair and run upon the enemy whilst those weary whites bawled out as loud as their sick throats could sound and clashed their spears against their shields and the enemy and terror hurled themselves through the snow into the dell and not one of them ever uttered a sound again Xenophon and his party telling the sick folk that next day people would come for them to get 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 and so Xenophon's men had nothing for it but to bivouac in the open air also without fire and suppolus merely posting what pickets they could under the circumstances but as soon as it drew towards day Xenophon dispatched the youngest of his men to the sick folk behind with orders to make them get up and force them to proceed meanwhile Charisyphus had sent some of his men caught in the village to inquire 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 air twenty furlongs were passed reached the village in which Charisyphus was caught in 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 Charisyphus remained where he was while the rest drew lots for the villages in sight several detachments marched off to their respective destinations it was here that Polycrites 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 villages with their headmen and seventeen young horses in the fall the headman's own daughter a young bride only eight days wed her husband had gone off to chase hairs 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 arguments descended by a ladder in these dwellings there were 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 without that mixture of water was very strong and of a delicious flavour to certain pallets but the taste must be acquired Xenophon made the headman of the village his guest at supper and made 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 for 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 at his children with him safe in sight but on the following day Xenophon took the headman and set off to Carisaphas around 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 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 pool 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 aspired any of his relations when he made a point of taking them off him or her with himself when they reached Carisaphas they found a similar scene where they were feasting in their quarters garlanded with wisps 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 Carisaphas 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 of 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 Chalibis 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 present of an oldish horse which he had got he had heard that the headman had killed 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 coat of peace 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 the horses know for without such precautions their creatures sank up to their bellies number six when a week had passed on the eighth day Xenophon delivered over the guide that is to say the village headman to Carisapus he left the headman's household safe behind in the village with the exception of his son a lad in the bloom of youth this boy was entrusted to episthanies of amphipolis to guard himself a good guide he was to take away his son also at his departure they finally made his house the repository of all the good things they could contrive to get together then they broke up their camp and commenced a march the headman guiding them through the snow unfettered when they had reached the third stage Carisapus flew into a rage with him because he had not brought them to any villages the headman pleaded that there were none in this part and the end of it was that the headman ran away in the night and was gone leaving his son behind him this was the sole ground of difference between Carisapus and Xenophon during the march this combination of ill treatment and neglect in the case of the guide as to the boy episthanies conceived a passion for him and took him home with him and found in him the most faithful of friends after this they marched seven stages from Parasangs a day to the banks of the river Phasis which is a hundred feet broad and thence they marched another couple of stages ten Parasangs but at the pass leading down into the plain there appeared in front of them a mixed body of Chalebis and Talcians and Phasianians when Carisapus caught sight of the enemy on the pass at a distance of about three or four miles he ceased marching not caring to approach the enemy with his troops in column and with his brothers to deploy their companies to the front that the troops might form into line as soon as the rear guard had come up he assembled the generals and officers and addressed them the enemy as you see are in occupation of the mountain pass it is time we should consider how we are to make the best fight to win it my opinion is that we should give orders to the troops to take their morning meal whilst we deliberate today or tomorrow my opinion said Cleanor is that as soon as we have breakfasted we should arm for the fight and attack the enemy without loss of time for if we fritter away today the enemy who are now content to look at us will grow bolder and with their growing courage depend upon it others more numerous will join them after him Xenophon spoke he said is how I see the matter if fight we must let us make preparation to sell our lives dearly but if we desire to cross with the greatest ease the point to consider is how we may get the fewest wounds and throw away the smallest number of good men well then that part of the mountain which is visible stretches nearly seven miles where are the men posted to intercept us except at the road itself they are nowhere to be seen it is much better to try if possible to steal a point of this desert mountain unobserved and before they know where we are secure the prize than to fly at a strong position and an enemy thoroughly prepared since it is much easier to march up a mountain without fighting than to tramp along a level when assailants are at either hand and provided he has not to fight a man will see what lies at his feet much more plainly even at night than in broad daylight in the midst of battle and a rough road to feet that roam in peace may be pleasanter than a smooth surface with the bullets whistling about your ears nor is it so impossible I take it to steal a march since it is open to us to go by night when we cannot be seen and fall back so far that they will never notice us in my opinion however if we make a faint of attacking here we shall find the mountain chain all the more deserted elsewhere since the enemy will be waiting for us here in thicker swarm but what right have I to be drawing conclusions about stealing in your presence Curricifice for you Lassidharmonians as I have often been told you who belong to the peers practice stealing from your boyhood up and it is no disgrace to you rather to steal except such things as the law forbids and in order I presume to stimulate your sense of secretiveness and to make you master thieves it is lawful for you further to get a whipping if you are caught now then you have a fine opportunity of displaying your training but take care we are not caught stealing over the mountain or we shall catch it ourselves for all that retorted Curricifice I have heard that you Athenians are clever hands at stealing the public monies and that too though there is a fearful risk for the person so employed but I am told it is your best men who are addicted to it if it is your best men who are thought worthy to rule so it is a fine opportunity for yourself also Xenophon to exhibit your education and I replied Xenophon I am ready to take the rear division as soon as we have supped and seized the mountain chain I have already got guides for the light troops laid an ambush gate and seized some of the cut purse vagabonds who hung on our rear I am further informed by them that the mountain is not inaccessible but is grazed by goats and cattle so that if we can once get hold of any portion of it there will be no difficulty as regards our animals they can cross the enemy I expect they will not even wait for us any longer when they once see us on a level with themselves on the heights for they do not even at present care to come down and meet us on fair ground Charisyphus answered but why should you go and leave your command in the rear send others rather unless a band of volunteers will present themselves there upon our astronomers they have made an agreement to kindle several watch fires as soon as they held the heights the arrangements made they breakfasted and after breakfast Charisyphus advanced the whole army 10 furlongs closer towards the enemy so as to strengthen the impression that he intended to attack them at that point but as soon as they had supped and night had fallen the party under orders set off and occupied the mountain as soon as the enemy perceived that the mountain was taken they banished all thought of sleep and kept many watch fires blazing through the night but at break of day Charisyphus offered sacrifice and began advancing along the road while the detachment which held the mountain advanced Paripassu by the high ground the larger mass of the enemy on his side remained still on the mountain pass but a section of them turned to draw together the detachment on the height came to close quarters and the Helens were victorious and gave chase meanwhile the light division of the Helens issuing from the plain were rapidly advancing against the serried lines of the enemy whilst Charisyphus followed up with his heavy infantry at quick march but the enemy on the road no sooner saw their higher division being worsted than they fled and some few of them were slain brought swords and rendered useless so when they had reached the summit of the pass they sacrificed and set up a trophy and ascending into the plain reached villages abounding in good things of every kind end of book 4 part 3 book 4 part 4 of Xenophon's Anabasis this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information please visit LibriVox.org recording by Andrew Coleman Anabasis by Xenophon translated by H.G. Daykins book 4 part 4 number 7 after this they marched into the country of the Talcians 5 stages 30 parasanks and provisions failed for the Talcians lived in strong places into which they had carried up all their stores now when the army arrived before one of these strong places a mere fortress without city or houses into which a motley crowd of men and women and numerous flocks and herds were gathered Charisphus attacked at once when the first regiment fell back tired a second advanced and again a third for it was impossible to surround the place in full force as it was encircled by a river and presently Xenophon came up with a rearguard consisting of both light and heavy infantry whereupon Charisphus halted him with the words in the nick of time you have come we must take this place for the troops have no provisions unless we take it thereupon they consulted together and to Xenophon's inquiry what it was which hindered their simply walking in Charisphus replied there is just this one narrow approach which you see but when we attempt to pass it by there are volleys of stones from yonder overhanging crag pointing up and this is the state in which you find yourself if you chance to be caught and he pointed to some poor fellows where their legs or ribs crushed a bit but when they have expended their ammunition said Xenophon there is nothing else is there to hinder our passing certainly except yonder hand full of fellows there is no one in front of us that we can see of them only two or three apparently are armed and the distance to be traversed under fire is as your eyes will tell you about one hundred and fifty feet as near as can be and of this space the first hundred is thickly covered with great pines at intervals under cover of these what harm can come to our men from the pelt of stones flying or rolling so then there is only fifty feet left across during a lull of stones I said Carisaphas but with our first attempt to approach the bush a galling fire of stones commences the very thing we want said the other for they will use up their ammunition all the quicker but let us select a point from which we shall have only a brief space to run across if we can and from which it will be easier to get back if we wish there upon Carisaphas and Xenophon the rest of the captains remained out of danger that done the next step was for a party of about seventy men to get away under the trees not in a body but one by one everyone using his best precaution and a gassist the Stemphalian and our Estonimus the Methodrin who were also officers of the rearguard were posted as supports outside the trees for it was not possible to get away under the trees but it was possible to get away under the trees it was not possible for more than a single company to stand safely within the trees here Calimacus hit upon a pretty contrivance he ran forward from the tree under which he was posted two or three paces and as soon as the stones came whizzing he retired easily but at each excursion more than ten wagon loads of rocks were expended a gaseous seeing how Calimacus was amusing himself and the whole army looking on as spectators was seized with the fear that he might miss his chance of being first to run the gauntlet of the enemy's fire and get into the place so without a word of summons to his neighbour Aristonomus or to Eurylocus of Lucia both comrades of his or to anyone else off he set on his own account and passed the hold attachment but Calimacus seeing him tearing past caught hold of his shield by the rim and in the meantime he passed both and after him Eurylocus of Lucia for they were one and all aspirants to valor and in that high pursuit each was the eager rival of the rest so in this strife of honour the three of them took the fortress and when they had once rushed in not a stone more was hurled from overhead and here a terrible spectacle displayed itself the women first cast their infants down the cliff and then they cast themselves after their fallen little ones and the men likewise in such a scene a nearest the Stemphalian an officer caught sight of a man with a fine dress about to throw himself over and seized hold of him to stop him but the other caught him to his arms and both were gone in an instant head long down the crags and were killed out of this place a handful of human beings were taken prisoners but cattle and asses in abundance and flocks of sheep from this place they marched through the Chalibis seven stages, fifty parisanks these were the bravest men whom they encountered on the whole march coming cheerily to close quarters with them they wore linen curasses reaching to the groin and instead of the ordinary winks or basks they had a very plaited fringe of cords they were also provided with grieves and helmets and at the girdle a short sabre about as long as the Laconian dagger with which they cut the throats of those they mastered and after severing the head from the trunk they would march along carrying it singing and dancing when they drew within their enemies field of view they carried also a spear fifteen cubits long lanced at one end this folk stayed in regular townships and whenever the Helens passed by they invariably hung close on their heels fighting they had dwelling places in their fortresses and into them they had carried up their supplies so that the Helens could get nothing from this district but supported themselves on the flocks and herds they had taken from the Talcians after this the Helens reached the river Harpasus which was four hundred feet broad hence they marched through the Scythians four stages twenty parasanks through a long level country to more villages among which they halted three days and got in supplies passing on from thence in four stages of twenty parasanks they reached a large and prosperous well populated city which went by the name of Jimnias from which the governor of the country sent them a guide to lead them through a district hostile to his own this guide told them that within five days they came to a place from which they would see the sea and he added if I fail of my word you are free to take my life accordingly he put himself at their head but he no sooner set foot in the country hostile to himself than he fell to encouraging them to burn and harry the land indeed his exhortations were so earnest it was plain that it was for this he had come and not out of the good will he bore the helens on the fifth day they reached the mountain the name of which was Theches no sooner had the men in front ascended it and caught sight of the sea than a great cry arose and Xenophon in the rearguard catching the sound of it conjectured that another set of enemies must surely be attacking in front for they were followed by the inhabitants of the country which was all a flame indeed the rearguard had killed some and others alive by laying an ambush gate they had taken also about twenty wicker shields covered with the raw hides of shaggy oxen but as the shout became louder and nearer and those who from time to time came up began racing at the top of their speed towards the shelters and the shouting continually with yet greater volume as the numbers increased Xenophon settled in his mind that something extraordinary must have happened so he mounted his horse and taking with him likeus and the cavalry he galloped to the rescue presently they could hear the soldiers shouting and passing on the joyful word the sea the sea thereupon they began running rearguard and all and the baggage animals and horses came galloping up but when they had reached the summit then indeed they fell to embracing one another generals and officers and all and the tears trickled down their cheeks and on a sudden someone, whoever it was having passed down the order the soldiers began bringing stones and erecting a great care whereon they dedicated a host of untanned skins and staves and captured wicker shields and with his own hand the guide hacked the shields to pieces inviting the rest to follow his example after this the helens dismissed the guide with a present raised from the common store a horse, a silver bowl, a persian dress and ten derricks but what he most begged to have were their rings and of these he got several from the soldiers so after pointing out to them a village where they would find quarters and the road by which they would proceed towards the land of the micrones as evening fell he turned his back upon them in the night and was gone number eight from this point the helens marched to the country of the micrones three stages ten parasanks and on the first day they reached the river which formed the boundary between the land of the micrones and the land of the sythenians above them on their right they had a country of the sternest and ruggedest character and on their left another river into which the frontier river discharges itself and which they must cross this was thickly fringed with trees which though not of any great bulk were closely packed as soon as they came up to them the helens proceeded to cut them down in their haste to get out of the place as soon as possible but the micrones armed with wicker shields and lances and hair tunics were already drawn up to receive them opposite the crossing they were cheering one another on and kept up a steady pelt of stones into the river though they failed to reach the other side or do any harm the next infantry came up to Xenophon he had been, he said a slave at Athens and he wished to tell him that he recognised the speech of these people I think, said he that this must be my native country and if there is no objection I will have a talk with them no objection at all replied Xenophon pray talk to them and ask them first who they are in answer to this question they said why they are drawn up in battle and want to fight with us they answered because you are invading our country the generals baited him say if so it is not with intention certainly of doing it or you any harm but we have been at war with the king and are now returning to Hellas and all we want is to reach the sea the others asked were they willing to give them pledges to that effect yes they were ready to give and receive pledges to that effect then the Macronys gave a barbaric glance to the Hellens and the Hellens a Hellenic glance to them for these they said would serve as pledges and both sides called upon the gods to witness after the pledges were exchanged the Macronys felt vigorously hewing down trees and constructing a road to help them across mingling freely with the Hellens they were fraternizing in their midst and they afforded them as good a market as they could and for three days conducted them on their march until they had brought them safely to the confines of the Colchians at this point they were confronted by a great mountain chain which however was accessible and on it the Colchians were drawn up for battle in the first instance the Hellens drew up opposite in line of battle as though they were minded to assault the hill in that order the Hellens was determined to hold a council of war and consider how to make the fairest fight accordingly Xenophon said I am not for advancing in line but advise to form companies by columns to begin with the line he urged would be scattered and thrown into disorder at once for we shall find the mountain full of inequalities it will be pathless here and easy to traverse there the mere fact of first having formed in line and then seeing the line thrown into disorder must exercise a disheartening effect again if we advance several deep the enemy will nonetheless overlap us and turn their superfluous numbers to account as best they like while if we march in shallow order we may fully expect our line to be cut through and through by the thick rain of missiles and rush of men and if this happen anywhere along the line the whole line will equally suffer no my notion is to form columns by companies covering ground sufficient with spaces between the companies to allow the last companies of each flank to be outside the enemy's flanks thus we shall with our extreme companies be outside the enemy's line and the best men at the head of their columns will leave the attack and every company will pick its way where the ground is easy also it will be difficult for the enemy to force his way into the intervening spaces when there are companies on both sides nor will it be easy for him to cut in between any individual company marching in column if two any particular company should be pressed the neighbouring company will come to the rescue or if at any point any single company succeeds in reaching the height from that moment not one man of the enemy will stand his ground this proposal was carried and they formed into columns by companies then Xenophon returning from the right wing to the left addressed the soldiers men, he said these men whom you see in front of you are the sole obstacles still interposed between us and the haven of our hopes so long deferred we will swallow them up hold without cooking if we can the several divisions fell into position the companies were formed into columns and the result was a total of something like 80 companies of heavy infantry each company consisting on an average of 100 men the light infantry and bowmen were arranged in three divisions two outside to support the left and the right respectively and the third in the centre each division consisting of about 600 men before starting the generals passed the order to offer prayer and with the prayer and battle him rising from their lips they commenced their advance Charisphus and Xenophon and the light infantry with them advanced outside the enemy's line to right and left and the enemy seeing their advance made an effort to keep parallel and confront them but in order to do so partly to right and partly to left he was pulled to pieces and there was a large space or hollow left in the centre of his line seeing them separate thus the light infantry attached to the archaic battalion under command of Icenes and Arcananian mistook the movement for flight and with a loud shout rushed on and these were the first to scale the mountain summit but they were closely followed up by the archaic heavy infantry under command of Cleanor of Orchaminus when they began running in that way the enemy stood their ground no longer but betook themselves to flight one in one direction one in another and the Helens scaled the hill and found quarters in numerous villages which contained supplies in abundance here generally speaking there was nothing to excite their wonderment but the numbers of beehives were indeed astonishing and so were certain properties of the honey the effect upon the soldiers who tasted the combs was that they all went for the nonce quite off their heads and suffered from vomiting and diarrhea with a total inability to stand steady on their legs a small dose produced a condition not unlike violent drunkenness a large one an attack very like a fit of madness and some dropped down apparently at death's door so they lay hundreds of them as if there had been a Greek defeat a prey to the cruelest despondency but the next day none had died and almost at the same hour of the day at which they had eaten they recovered their senses and on the third or fourth day got on their legs again like convalescence after a severe course of medical treatment from this place they marched on two stages seven parisangs at trapezas a populous helenic city on the uxine sea a colony of the synopians in the territory of the colchians here they halted about 30 days in the villages of the colchians which they used as a base of operations to ravage the whole territory of colchies the men of trapezas supplied the army with a market entertained them and gave them as gifts of hospitality oxen and wheat and wine further they negotiated with them on behalf of their neighbours the colchians who dwelt in the plain for the most part and from this folk also came gifts of hospitality in the shape of cattle and now the helens made preparation for the sacrifice which they had vowed and a sufficient number of cattle came in for them to offer thank offerings for safe guidance to zeus the saviour and to heracles and to the other gods according to their vows they instituted also a gymnastic contest on the mountainside just where they were courted and chose draconcius as spartan who had been banished from home when elad having unintentionally slain another boy with a blow of his dagger to superintend the course and be president of the games as soon as the sacrifices were over they handed over the hides of the beasts to draconcius and bait him lead the way to his race course he merely waved his hand and pointed to where they were standing and said there this ridge is just the place for running anywhere everywhere but how he was asked will they manage to wrestle on the hard scrubby ground oh worse knocks for those who were thrown the president replied there was a mild race for boys the majority being captive lads and for the long race more than 60 cretins competed there was wrestling boxing and the pancratian altogether it was a beautiful spectacle there was a large number of entries and the emulation with their companions male and female standing as spectators was immense there was horse racing also the riders had to gallop down a steep incline to the sea and then turn and come up again to the altar and on the descent more than half rolled head over heels tremendous steep scarcely out of a walking pace loud were the shouts the laughter and the cheers end of book 4 book 5 part 1 of Xenophon's Anabasis this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Anabasis by Xenophon translated by H.G. Dacons book 5 part 1 number 1 after this they met and took counsel concerning the remainder of the march the first speaker was Antelion of Thury he rose and said for my part sirs I am weary by this time of getting kit together and packing up for a start of walking and running and carrying heavy arms and of tramping along in line or mounting guard and doing battle the sole desire I now have is to cease from all these pains and for the future since we have the sea before us to sail on and on stretched out in sleep like Odysseus and so to find myself in Hellas when they heard these remarks the soldiers showed their approval with loud cries of well said and then another spoke to the same effect and then another indeed all present then Cheriosophus got up and said I have a friend sirs who as good half will have it is now high admiral and exibius if you like to send me to him I think I can safely promise to return with some men of war and other vessels which will carry us all you have to do if you are really minded to go home by sea is to wait here till I come I will be back here long with these words and voted that Cheriosophus to set sail on his mission without delay after him Xenophon got up and spoke as follows Cheriosophus it is agreed sets out in search of vessels and we are going to await him let me tell you what in my opinion is reasonable to do while we are waiting first of all we must provide ourselves with necessaries from hostile territory for there is not a sufficient market for if there were have we with few solitary exceptions the means of purchase now the district is hostile so that if you set off in search of provisions without the chances are that many of us will be lost to meet this risk I propose that we should organize foraging parties to capture provisions and for the rest not roam about the country at random the organization of the matter should be left to us the other proposal he continued some of you no doubt will be going out to pillage it will be best I think that whoever does so should in each case before starting inform us of his intent and in what direction he means to go so that we may know the exact number of those who are out and of those who stop behind thus we shall be able to help in preparing and starting the expedition where necessary and in case of aid in the direction to proceed or again if the attempt is to be undertaken by raw or less expert hands we may throw in the weight of our experience and advice by endeavoring to discover the strength of those whom they designed to attack this proposal was also carried here is another point he continued to which I would draw your attention our enemies will not lack leisure to make raids upon us nor is it unnatural that they should lay plots for us for we have appropriated what is theirs they are seated over us ever on the watch I propose then that we should have regular outpost round the camp if we take it in succession to do the picket and outlook duty the enemy will be less able to hurry us and here is another point for your observation supposing we knew for certain that chariosophist must return with a sufficient number of vessels there would be no need of the remark but as that is still problematical I propose that we should try to get more ships than we need also if he comes and finds us already provided for here we shall have more ships than we need that is all while if he fails to bring them we shall have the local supply to fall back upon I see ships sailing past perpetually so we have only to ask the loan of some more ships from the men of trapezes and we can bring them into port and safeguard them with their ships that resolution was also passed he proceeded consider whether you think it equitable to support by means of a general fund the ships companies which we so impress while they wait here for our benefit and to agree upon a fare on the principle of repaying kindnesses and kind that too was passed well then said he in case after all our endeavours should not be crowned with success and we find that we have not vessels enough I propose that we should enjoy from the seaboard the duty of constructing and putting in order the roads which we here are impassable they will be only too glad to obey no doubt out of mere terror and their desire to be rid of us this last proposal was met by loud cries and protestations against the idea of going by land at all so perceiving their infatuation he did not put the question to the vote but eventually persuaded the cities voluntarily to construct roads by the suggestion get your roads in good order we shall all the sooner be gone they further got a fifty-ord galley from the trapezoanites and gave the command of it to Dexapus a Laconian one of the Periochi this man altogether neglected to collect vessels on the offing but slunk off himself and vanished ship and all out of Pontus later on however he paid the penalty of his misdeeds he became involved in some meddling and making and thrace and was put to death by the Laconian Nicander they also got a thirty-ord galley the command of which was entrusted to Polycrates an Athenian and that officer brought into harbour to the camp all the vessels he could lay his hands on if these were laden they took out the freight and appointed guards to keep an eye on their preservation whilst they used the ships themselves for transport service on the coast while matters stood at this point with varying success sometimes they captured prey and sometimes they failed on one occasion Cleonetus led his own in another company against a strong position and was killed himself with many others of his party number two 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 trapezoanites leaving the other half to guard the camp that was necessary since the Culcians who had been ousted from their houses were assembled thickly and sat eyeing them from the heights above on the other hand the trapezoanites being friendly to the native inhabitants were not for leading the Hellenes to places where it was easy to capture provisions but against the drillay from whom they personally suffered they would lead them with enthusiasm towards the fortresses and against the most warlike people of any in the Pontus but when the Hellenes had reached the uplands the drillay set fire to all their fastnesses which they thought could be taken easily and be to 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 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 there was a trench running round it mounted up some breadth with a stockade on 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 a single file under the circumstances they sent to Xenophon who was in command of the heavy infantry the messenger came there is a fastness choked 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 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 carrying over the heavy infantry also on the supposition that the fortress might be taken in favor of the latter opinion it was agreed that the retreat must cost many lives and the officers were further disposed to think that 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 inventory 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 today 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 sling ready at the word shoot to discharge their missiles while the light troops were to have wallets well stocked with sling-stones lastly he dispatched his adjutants to see to the proper carrying out of these orders 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-himmeros the clarion spoke and with a thrilling cry in honor of the warrior-god commenced to rush at the heavy inventory at full speed undercover of a storm of missiles lances, arrows, bullets and all stones hurled from the hand with ceaseless pelt while there were some who brought fire-brands to bear overwhelmed by this crowd of missiles the enemy left their stockades in their bastion towers which gave Agassius the Stemphalian and Felix Xenus of Pelene a chance not to be missed laying aside their heavy arms up they went in baritunics only and one hauled another up and meantime another had mounted and the place was taken and the pell-tasts and light-trups 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 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 at that Xenophon ordered Thelmaides the Herald to proclaim enter all who are minded to capture ought in poured the surging multitude and the counter-current of persons elbowing their passage in prevailed over the stream of those who issued forth in 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 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 but as soon as they began to retreat out rushed upon them from within with wicker shields and lances grieves and panflagonian 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 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 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 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 there was difficulty and escape from the place by putting a fire between them and the enemy so that he was burnt down houses, turrets, stockading and everything belonging to it except the citadel next day the Hellenes were bent on getting back with the provisions but as they dreaded the descent to Trapezes which was precipitous and narrow they laid a false ambush guard and a Missian called after the name of his nation Mises took ten of the Cretans and halted in some thick bushy ground where he made a faint of endeavoring the descent 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 ambush guard 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 Missian 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 tumbling and rolling down the gullies were saved the Missian, fleeing along the road kept crying for assistance which they sent him and picked him up wounded the party of rescue now be to 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 number three now when Cheriosophus did not arrive and the supply of ships was insufficient and to get provisions longer was impossible they resolved to depart on board the vessels they embarked the sick and those above 40 years of age with the boys and women and all the baggage which the soldiers were not absolutely forced to take for their own use the two eldest generals Felicius and Sophonetus were put in charge and so the party embarked while the rest resumed their march for the road was now completely constructed continuing their march that day in the next on the third they reached Serassus a Hellenic city in the sea and a colony of Sinope in the country of the Colchians here they halted ten days and there was a review and numbering of the troops under arms when there were found to be 8600 men so many had escaped the rest had perished at the hands of the enemy or by reason of the snow or else disease at this time and place they divided the money accruing from the captive sold and a tithe selected for Apollo and Artemis of the Ephesians was divided between the generals each of whom took a portion to guard for the gods Neon the Asinian taking on behalf of Cheriosophus out of the portion he had a very offering to Apollo to be made and dedicated among the treasures of the Athenians at Delphi it was inscribed with his own name and that of Proxenas, his friend who was killed with clericus the gift for Artemis of the Ephesians was, in the first instance left behind by him in Asia at the time when he left that part of the world himself with Agacelus on the march into Bosia he left it behind in charge of Megabysis as he was starting was fraught with danger in the event of his coming out of it alive he charged Megabysis to restore to him the deposit but should any evil happen to him then he was to cause to be made and to dedicate on his behalf to Artemis what so everything he thought would be pleasing to the goddess in the days of his banishment when Xenophon was now established by the Lachodemonians as a colonist on Silas he was sent away to Olympia as a spectator to attend the games and restored to him the deposit Xenophon took the money and bought for the goddess a plot of ground at a point indicated to him by the oracle the plot, it so happened had its own Salinas river flowing through it just as at Ephesus the river Salinas flows past the temple of Artemis and in both streams fish and muscles are to be found on the estate at Silas there is hunting and shooting here with the sacred money he built an altar into temple and ever after year by year tied the fruits of the land in their season and did sacrifice to the goddess while all the citizens and neighbors men and women shared in the festival the goddess herself provided for the banqueters meat and loaves and wines and sweet meats with portions of the victims sacrificed from the sacred pastor as also of those which were slain in the chase the lads of the other citizens always made a hunting excursion against the festival day in which any grown man who liked might join the game was captured partly from the sacred district itself partly from Philo, pigs and gazelles and stags the place lies on the direct road from Lackadamen to Olympia about 20 furlongs from the temple of Zeus in Olympia and within the sacred enclosure there is a meadow land of cattle and horses so that even the sumter animals of the pilgrims passing to the feast fare sumptuously the shrine is girdled by a grove of cultivated trees yielding dessert fruits in their season the temple itself is effect similarly on a small scale of the great temple at Ephesus and the image of the goddess is like the golden statue of Ephesus save only that it is made not of gold but of cypress wood the place is sacred to Artemis he who holds it and enjoys the fruits of it is bound to sacrifice yearly a tithe of the produce and from the residue thereof to keep in repair the shrine if any men fail in awe of this the goddess herself will look to it that the matter shall not sleep end of book five part one book five part two of Xenophon's Anabasis this is a Librivox recording all Librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Librivox.org Anabasis by Xenophon translated by H.G.Duckins book five part two number four from Sarasas they continued the march the same portion of the troops being conveyed by sea as before and the rest marching by land when they had reached the frontiers of the moss and oceans Timositheus the Trapezyntine who was the proxenus of the moss and oceans to inquire whether they were to pass through their territory as friends or foes they trusting in their strongholds replied that they would not give them passage it was then that Timositheus informed them that the moss and oceans on the farther side of the country were hostile to these members of the tribe and it was resolved to invite the former to make an alliance if they wished it they came back with their chiefs on their arrival there was a conference of the moss and ocean chiefs and the generals of the Hellenes and Xenophon made a speech which Timositheus interpreted he said, men of the moss and oceans our desire is to reach us in safety and since we have no vessels we must needs go by foot but these people who as we hear are your enemies prevent us will you take us for your allies now is your chance to exact vengeance on you and for the future they will be your subjects but if you send us about our business consider and ask yourselves from what quarter will you ever obtain so strong a force to help you to this the chief of the moss and oceans made answer that the proposal was in accordance with their wishes and they welcomed the alliance good said Xenophon but to what use do you propose to put us if we become your allies and what will you in turn be able to do to assist our passage we can make an incursion into this country hostile to yourselves and us from the opposite side and also send you ships and men to this place who will aid you fighting and conduct you on the road on this understanding they exchanged pledges and were gone the next day they returned bringing 300 canoes each hollowed out of a single trunk there were three men in each two of whom disembarked and fell into rank whilst the third remained and fell back again whilst the other two thirds who remained marshaled themselves in the following way they stood in rows of about 100 each like the rows of dancers in a chorus standing vis-a-vis to one another and all bearing wicker shields made of white oxide shaggy and shaped like an ivy leaf in the right hand they brandished a javelin about six cubits long with a lance in front and rounded like a ball at the butt end of the shaft fiercely reaching to the knees and in texture closely resembling that of a linen bed-clothes bag on their heads they wore leather and helmets just like the panflagonian helmet with a tuft of hair in the middle as like a tiara in shape as possible they carried moreover iron battle-axes then one of them gave as it were the keynote and started while the rest taking up the strain and the step followed singing and marking time passing through the various core battalions of the Hellenes they marched straight against the enemy to what appeared the most assailable of his fortresses it was situated in front of the city or mother city as it is called which latter contains the high citadel of the Masanotians this citadel was the real bone of contention the occupants at any time being acknowledged as the masters of all the other Masanotians the present holders so it was explained had no right to its possession for the sake of self-aggrandizement they had seized what was really common property some of the Hellenes followed the attacking party not under the orders of the generals but for the sake of plunder as they advanced the enemy for a while kept quiet but as they got near the place they made a sortie and routed them killing several of the barbarians as well as some of the Hellenes who had gone up with them and so pursued them until they saw the Hellenes advancing to the rescue then they turned round and made off with the men and flaunting them in the face of the Hellenes and of their own private foes dancing the while and singing in a measured strain but the Hellenes were much vexed to think that their foes had only been rendered bolder while the Hellenes who had formed a part of the expedition had turned tail and fled in spite of their numbers a thing which had not happened previously during the whole expedition so Xenophon called a meeting of the Hellenes and spoke as follows be sure that good no less than evil will be the result for to begin with you now know certainly that those who are going to guide us are indeed very hostile to those with whom necessity drives us to quarrel and in the next place some of our own body these Hellenes who have made so light of orderly array and conjoint action with ourselves as though they must need to achieve in the company of barbarians so that another time they will be less prone to leave our ranks but you must be prepared to show these friendly barbarians that you are of a better sort and prove to the enemy that battle with the undisciplined is one thing but with men like yourselves another accordingly they halted as they were that day next day they sacrificed and finding the victims favorable they breakfasted formed the companies into columns the companies where the archers only slightly retired behind the front of the heavy infantry on account of the enemy's active light troops who ran down and kept up volleys of stones these were held in check by the archers and Peltasts and steadily step by step the mass marched on first to the position from which the barbarians and those with them had been driven two days back and where the enemy were now drawn up to meet them they first grappled with the Peltasts and maintained the battle until the heavy infantry were close when they turned and fled the Peltasts followed without delay and pursued them right up to their city while the heavy troops in unbroken order followed as soon as they were up at the houses of the capital there and then the enemy collecting altogether in one strong body fought valiantly and hurled their javelins or else clutched their long stout spears for their best to ward off the attack at close quarters but when the Haleens instead of giving way kept massing together more thickly the barbarians fled from this place also and in a body deserted the fortress their king who sat in his wooden tower or mossen built on the citadel there he sits and there they maintain him all at the common cost and guard him narrowly refused to come forth as did those in the fortress first taken where they were their mossens themselves and all the Haleens pillaging and ransacking these places discovered in the different houses treasures and magazines of loaves pile upon pile the ancestral stores as the mossen oceans told them but the new corn was laid up apart with the straw silk and ear together and this was for the most parts belt slices of dolphin were another discovery in narrow necked jars of dolphin in vessels which the mossen oceans used precisely as the Haleens use oil then there were large stores of nuts also on the upper floor the broad kind without a division this was also a chief article of food with them boiled nuts and baked loaves wine was also discovered this from its rough dry quality tasted sharp when drunk pure but mixed with water was sweet and fragrant the Haleens breakfasted on their march having first delivered the stronghold to their allies among the mossen oceans as for the other strongholds belonging to tribes allied with their foes which they passed enroute the most accessible were either deserted by their inhabitants or gave in their adhesion voluntarily the following description will apply to the majority of them the cities were on an average 10 miles apart some more some less but so elevated is the country they chose to shout across to one another their cries would be heard from one city to another when in the course of their march they came upon a friendly population these would entertain them with exhibitions of fatted children belonging to the wealthy classes fed up on boiled chestnuts until they were white as white can be of skin plump and delicate and very nearly as broad as they were long with their backs variegated in their breast tattooed with patterns of all sorts of flowers in their body and would faint have laid with them openly in broad daylight for that was their custom the whole community male and female alike were fair complexioned and white skinned it was agreed that this was the most barbaric and outlandish people that they had passed through on the whole expedition and the furthest removed from the Hellenic customs doing in a crowd precisely what other people would prefer to do in solitude and when alone behaving exactly with their own expense standing still and then again capering about wherever they might chance to be without rhyme or reason as if their sole business were to show off to the rest of the world number five through this country friendly or hostile as the chance might be the Hellenes marched eight stages in all and reached the Calibus these were people few in number and subject to the Masa notions that their livelihood was for the most part derived from mining and forging iron thence they came to the Tibereneans the country of the Tibereneans was far more level and their fortresses lay on the seaboard and were less strong whether by art or nature the generals wanted to attack these places so that the army might get some pickings and they would not accept the gifts of hospitality which came from the Tibererians but bidding them wait until they had taken counsel and offered sacrifice after several abortive attempts the seers at last pronounced an opinion that the gods in no wise countenance wore then they accepted the gifts of hospitality and marching through what was now recognized as a friendly country in two days reached Catoria a Hellenic city and a colony of Sennepi albeit situated in the territory of the Tibereneans here they halted for forty five days during which they first of all instituted processions each set of the Hellenes according to their several tribes with gymnastic contests provisions they got in meanwhile partly from Paphlegonia partly from the estates of the Cotcherites for the latter would neither provide them a market nor receive their sick within their walls meanwhile ambassadors arrived from Sennepi full of fears not only for the Cotcherites and their city which belonged to Sennepi and brought in tribute but also for the territory which as they had heard was being pillaged accordingly they came to the camp and made a speech Hecatonimus who was reported to be a clever orator acted as their spokesman soldiers he said the city of the Sennepians has sent us to offer you as Hellenes our compliments and congratulations on your victories over the barbarians and next to express our joyful satisfaction that you have surmounted all those terrible sufferings and have reached this place in safety as Hellenes we claim to receive at your hands as fellow Hellenes kindness and not harm we have certainly not ourselves set you an example here to four of evil treatment now the Cotcherites are our colonists it was we who gave them this country to dwell in having taken it from the barbarians for which reason also they with the men of Sarasas and Tropasas pay us an appointed tribute so that whatever mischief you inflict on the men of Catoria the city of Sennepi takes as personal to herself at the present time we hear that you have made forcible entry into their cities some of you and are quartered in the houses besides taking forcibly from the Cotcherite estates whatever you need by hook and by crook now against these things we enter protest if you mean to go on so doing you will drive us to make friends with Coriolis and the Pamphlagonians they charge a xenophon on behalf of the soldiers rose and said as to ourselves men of Sennepi having got so far we are well contented to have saved our bodies and our arms indeed it was impossible at one in the same moment to keep our enemies at bay and to despoil them of their goods and chattels and now since we have reached Hellenic cities how has it fared with us at Tropasas they gave us a market and the gifts of hospitality they gave the army we requited them with honor where the barbarian was friendly to them we stayed our hands from injury or under their escort we did damage to their enemies to the utmost of our power ask them what sort of people they found us they are here some of them to answer for themselves their fellow citizens and the state of Tropasas for friendship's sake have sent them with us to act as our guides but wherever we come there is no market for provisions we are want to help ourselves not out of insolence but from necessity there have been tribes like the Carduchians the Tauchians and the Chaldeans which albeit they were not subject to the great king yet were no less formidable than independent these we had to bring over by our arms the necessity of getting provisions forced us since they refused to offer us a market whereas some other folk like the Micrones and the barbarians we regarded as our friends simply because they did provide us with the best market in their power and we took no single thing of theirs by force but to come to these contrites whom you claim to be your people if we have taken ought from them they have themselves to blame for they did not deal with us as friends but shut their gates in our faces they would neither welcome us within nor furnish us with a market without the only justification they alleged was that your governor as to your assertion he continued turning to Hecatonomus that we have got in by force and taken up quarters this is what we did we requested them to receive our sick and wounded under cover and when they refused to open their gates we walked in where the place itself invited us all the violence we have committed amounts to this that our sick folk are quartered under cover paying for their expenses and we keep a sentry at the gates not lie at the mercy of your governor but we may have it in our power to remove them whenever we like the rest of us you observe are camping under the canopy of heaven in regular rank and file and we are ready to require kindness with kindness but to repel evil vigorously and as for your threat he said once again turning to the spokesman that you will if it suits you make alliance with Coralus and the Panthelgonians to attack us for our part we have no objection we have lost we have already fought others many times more numerous than you besides if it suits us as you put it to make the Panthelgonian our friend report says that he has a hankering after your city and some other places on the seaboard we can enhance the value of our friendship by helping to win for him what he covets thereupon the ambassadors showed very plainly their annoyance with Hecatonimus on account of the style of his remarks and one of them stepped forward all to raise a war but on the contrary to demonstrate their friendliness and if you come to Sinope itself the speaker continued we will welcome you there with gifts of hospitality meanwhile we will enjoin upon the citizens of this place to give you what they can for we can see that every word of what you say is true thereupon the Coturides sent gifts of hospitality and the generals of the Helenes entertained the ambassadors of the Sinopeans many and friendly were the topics that followed the talk on things in general and in particular both parties were able to make inquiries and satisfy their curiosity concerning the remaining portion of the march end of book 5 part 2