that the enemy did not venture openly to commence war against us, until they had seized our generals, thinking that as long as we had commanders, and were obedient to them, we should be in a condition to gain the advantage over them in the field, but, on making prisoners of our generals, they expected that we should perish from want of direction and order. 30. It is incumbent, therefore, on our present commanders to be far more vigilant than our former ones, and on those under command to be far more orderly, and more obedient to their officers, at present than they were before. 31. And if you were also to pass a resolution, that, should any one be disobedient, whoever of you chances to light upon him is to join with his officer in punishing him, the enemy would by that means be most effectually disappointed in their expectations, for, on the very day that such resolution is passed, they will see before them ten thousand Clearchuses instead of one, who will not allow a single soldier to play the coward. 32. But it is now time for me to conclude my speech;[135] for in an instant perhaps the enemy will be upon us. Whosoever, therefore, thinks these suggestions reasonable, let him give his sanction to them at once, that they may be carried into execution. But if any other course, in any one's opinion, be better than this,[136] let him, even though he be a private soldier, boldly give us his sentiments; for the safety, which we all seek, is a general concern.'
33. Cheirisophus then said, 'Should there be need of any other measure in addition to what Xenophon proposes, it will be in our power to bring it forward by and by; what he has now suggested we ought, I think, to vote at once to be the best course that we can adopt; and to whomsoever this seems proper, let him hold up his hand;' and they all held them up. 34. Xenophon then, rising again, said, 'Hear, soldiers, what appears to me to be necessary in addition to what I have laid before you. It is plain that we must march to some place from which we may get provisions; and I hear that there are some good-looking villages not more than twenty stadia distant; 35. but I should not wonder if the enemy, (like cowardly dogs that run after such as pass by them, and bite them if they can, but flee from those who pursue them,) I should not wonder, I say, if the enemy were to follow close upon us when we begin to march. 36. It will, perhaps, be the safer way for us to march, therefore, forming a hollow square of the heavy-armed troops, in order that the baggage and the large number of camp-followers, may be in greater security within it; and if it be now settled who is to lead the square, and regulate the movements in front, who are to be on each flank, and who to have charge of the rear, we shall not have to consider of these things when the enemy approach, but may at once act according to what has been arranged. 37. If, then, any one else sees anything better to recommend, let it be settled otherwise; if not, let Cheirisophus lead, since he is also a Lacedæmonian;[137] let two of the oldest generals take the command on each of the flanks; and let Timasion and myself, the youngest of the officers, take charge, at least for the present, of the rear. 38. After a time, when we have tried this arrangement, we will consider, as occasion may require, what may seem best to be done. If any one thinks of any better plan than this, let him speak.' As nobody made any objection, he said, 'Whosoever likes these proposals, let him hold up his hand.' The proposals were approved. 39. 'And now,' he added, 'it belongs to you to go and carry into execution what has been decided upon; and whosoever of you wishes to see his friends and relations, let him prove himself a man of valour, for by no other means can he succeed in attaining that object; whoever of you desires to preserve his life, let him strive to conquer, for it is the part of conquerors to kill, but of the conquered to die; and if any one of you covets spoil, let him endeavour to secure victory for us, for it is the privilege of victors at once to save their own property and to seize on that of the vanquished.'
[Footnote 127: [Greek: Tôn kallistôn heauton axiôsanta].] 'Thinking himself worthy of the most beautiful (equipments).']
[Footnote 128: [Greek: Ton theon].] Jupiter the Preserver.
[Footnote 129: [Greek: Authis aphaniountôn].] Weiske, Schneider, and others omit the [Greek: authis]. Bornemann, Dindorf, and Kühner preserve it, as it is found in six manuscripts, giving it, with Spohn, Lect. Theocr. i. p. 33, the sense of
[Footnote 130: [Greek: Goun].] Some copies have [Greek: oun]. 'The sense of [Greek: goun] is this;
[Footnote 131: [Greek: Ei ara, k. t. l.]] Krüger admonishes the reader that these words must be taken negatively:
[Footnote 132: [Greek: Diêsousin].] Eight manuscripts have [Greek: dioisousin], which Bornemann has preferred. Dindorf also gave the preference to it in his first edition, but has subsequently adopted the other reading. [Greek: Mête dioisousin] is interpreted by Bornemann, 'if the rivers shall present no difference in any part of their course; if they be as broad at their sources as at their mouths.']
[Footnote 133: [Greek: Autoi eidomen].] The Greeks had passed through a part of Lycaonia in their march up the country, i. 2. 19; when, however, it is not indicated that they saw much.]
[Footnote 134: The allusion is to Odyss. ix. 83, where the lotus-eaters are mentioned:
The trees around them all their food produce,
Lotus the name, divine nectareous juice,
(Thence called Lotophagi,) which whoso tastes,
Insatiate riots in the sweet repasts,
Nor other home, nor other care intends,
But quits his house, his country, and his friends.
[Footnote 135: [Greek: Perainein].] Sc. [Greek: ton logon]. This is the sense in which this word has been taken, I believe, by most readers; as in Æsch. Pers. 699, and elsewhere. Sturz, in his Lexicon, seems to take it in the sense of
[Footnote 136: [Greek: Ei de ti allo beltion ê tautê].] Understand [Greek: dokei echein].
[Footnote 137: [Greek: Epeidê kai Lakedaimonios esti].] The [Greek: kai],
CHAPTER III.
The Greeks are visited by Mithridates as a friend, but he soon
shows that he is an enemy, and they resolve to enter into no
further negotiations with the Persian king. They pass the Zabatus,
are harassed by Mithridates, and suffer from the want of slingers
and cavalry. Volunteers are enrolled for these services.
1. When this speech was concluded, they rose up, and went off to burn their carriages and tents; of their superfluous baggage they divided among themselves such portions as any needed, and threw the rest into the fire. Having done this, they went to breakfast. While they were at their meal, Mithridates rode up to them with about thirty horsemen and requesting the generals to come within hearing, spoke as follows: 2. 'I was faithful to Cyrus, O men of Greece, as you yourselves know; I am now well disposed towards you; and I am living here under great apprehensions; if therefore I should find that you are concerting any safe scheme for your deliverance, I would come and join you, bringing with me all my followers. Let me know, therefore, what you have in contemplation, as one who is your friend and well-wisher, and who is willing to march along with you.' 3. The generals, after consulting together, resolved on returning the following answer; and Cheirisophus delivered it: 'It is our determination, if no one hinders us from returning home, to proceed through the country with as little injury to it as possible; but if any one opposes us on our march, to fight our way against him as vigorously as we can.' 4. Mithridates then endeavoured to convince them how impracticable it was to escape without the king's consent. But it was now concluded that he was insidiously sent; for one of the followers of Tissaphernes was in attendance on him to insure his fidelity.[138] 5. In consequence, it was thought right by the generals to pass a resolution that the war should be such as to admit of no intercourse by heralds;[139] for those that came tried to corrupt the soldiers, and succeeded in seducing one of the captains, Nicarchus an Arcadian, and he deserted in the night with about twenty men.
6. Having then dined, and crossed the river Zabatus, they marched on in regular order, keeping the baggage- cattle and camp-followers in the centre. But before they had gone far, Mithridates made his appearance again with
