Anabasis

Hereupon Gaulites, a Samian exile who was there and was in the confidence of Cyrus, said: And yet, Cyrus, there are those who say that your promises are big now because you are in such a critical situation—for the danger is upon you—but that if any good fortune befall, you will fail to remember them; and some say that even if you should remember and have the will, you would not have the means to make good all your promises.

Upon hearing these words Cyrus said: Well, gentlemen, my father’s realm extends toward the south to a region where men cannot dwell by reason of the heat, and to the north to a region where they cannot dwell by reason of the cold; and all that lies between these limits my brother’s friends rule as satraps.

Now if we win the victory, we must put our friends in control of these provinces. I fear, therefore, not that I shall not have enough to give to each of my friends, if success attends us, but that I shall not have enough friends to give to. And as for you men of Greece, I shall give each one of you a wreath of gold besides.

When they heard these words, the officers were far more eager themselves and carried the news away with them to the other Greeks. Then some of the others also sought Cyrus’ presence, demanding to know what they should have, in case of victory; and he satisfied the expectations of every one of them before dismissing them.

Now all alike who conversed with him urged him not to take part in the fighting, but to station himself in their rear. Taking this opportunity Clearchus asked Cyrus a question like this: But do you think, Cyrus, that your brother will fight with you? Yes, by Zeus, said Cyrus, if he is really a son of Darius and Parysatis and a brother of mine, I shall not win this realm without fighting for it.

At this time, when the troops were marshalled under arms,[*](i.e. in the review mentioned in 1.) the number of the Greeks was found to be ten thousand four hundred hoplites, and two thousand five hundred peltasts,[*](There is a discrepancy, as yet unexplained, between these numbers and those previously given. cp. Xen. Anab. 1.2.9 and note; also Xen. Anab. 1.2.25 and Xen. Anab. 1.4.3.) while the number of the barbarians under Cyrus was one hundred thousand and there were about twenty scythe-bearing chariots.

The enemy, it was reported, numbered one million two hundred thousand[*](The number is probably overstated. Ctesias, the King’s Greek physician (see viii. 26), is said by Plutarch (Artax. 13) to have given it as 400,000.) and had two hundred scythe-bearing chariots; besides, there was a troop of six thousand horsemen, under the command of Artagerses, which was stationed in front of the King himself.

And the King’s army had four commanders, each at the head of three hundred thousand men, namely, Abrocomas, Tissaphernes, Gobryas, and Arbaces. But of the forces just enumerated only nine hundred thousand, with one hundred and fifty scythe-bearing chariots, were present at the battle; for Abrocomas, marching from Phoenicia, arrived five days too late for the engagement.

Such were the reports brought to Cyrus by those who deserted from the Great King before the battle, and after the battle identical reports were made by the prisoners taken thereafter.