anabasis-第22章
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'6' Here seems to be the germunless; indeed; the thought had been conceived abovehere at any rate the first conscious expression of the colonisation scheme; of which we shall hear more below; in reference to Cotyora; the Phasis; Calpe。 It appears again fifty years later in the author's pamphlet 〃On Revenues;〃 chapters i。 and vi。 For the special evils of the fourth century B。C。; and the growth of pauperism between B。C。 401 and 338; see Jebb; 〃Attic Orators;〃 vol i。 p。 17。
〃Let us look another matter in the face。 How are we to march most safely? or where blows are needed; how are we to fight to the best advantage? That is the question。
〃The first thing which I recommend is to burn the wagons we have got; so that we may be free to march wherever the army needs; and not; practically; make our baggage train our general。 And; next; we should throw our tents into the bonfire also: for these again are only a trouble to carry; and do not contribute one grain of good either for fighting or getting provisions。 Further; let us get rid of all superfluous baggage; save only what we require for the sake of war; or meat and drink; so that as many of us as possible may be under arms; and as few as possible doing porterage。 I need not remind you that; in case of defeat; the owners' goods are not their own; but if we master our foes; we will make them our baggage bearers。
〃It only rests for me to name the one thing which I look upon as the greatest of all。 You see; the enemy did not dare to bring war to bear upon us until they had first seized our generals; they felt that whilst our rulers were there; and we obeyed them; they were no match for us in war; but having got hold of them; they fully expected that the consequent confusion and anarchy would prove fatal to us。 What follows? This: Officers and leaders ought to be more vigilant ever than their predecessors; subordinates still more orderly and obedient to those in command now than even they were to those who are gone。 And you should pass a resolution that; in case of insubordination; any one 31 who stands by is to aid the officer in chastising the offender。 So the enemy will be mightily deceived; for on this day they will behold ten thousand Clearchuses instead of one; who will not suffer one man to play the coward。 And now it is high time I brought my remarks to an end; for may be the enemy will be here anon。 Let those who are in favour of these proposals confirm them with all speed; that they may be realised in fact; or if any other course seem better; let not any one; even though he be a private soldier; shrink from proposing it。 Our common safety is our common need。〃
After this Cheirisophus spoke。 He said: 〃If there is anything else to be done; beyond what Xenophon has mentioned; we shall be able to carry it out presently; but with regard to what he has already proposed; it seems to me the best course to vote upon the matters at once。 Those who are in favour of Xenophon's proposals; hold up their hands。〃 They all held them up。 Xenophon rose again and said: 〃Listen; sirs; while I tell you what I think we have need of besides。 It is clear that we must march where we can get provisions。 Now; I am told there are some splendid villages not more than two miles and a half distant。 I should not be surprised; then; if the enemy were to hang on our heels and dog us as we retire; like cowardly curs which rush out at the passer…by and bite him if they can; but when you turn upon them they run away。 Such will be their tactics; I take it。 It may be safer; then; to march in a hollow square; so as to place the baggage animals and our mob of sutlers in greater security。 It will save time to make the appointments at once; and to settle who leads the square and directs the vanguard; who will take command of the two flanks; and who of the rearguard; so that; when the enemy appears; we shall not need to deliberate; but can at once set in motion the machinery in existence。
〃If any one has any better plan; we need not adopt mine; but if not; suppose Cheirisophus takes the lead; as he is a Lacedaemonian; and the two eldest generals take in charge the two wings respectively; whilst Timasion and I; the two youngest; will for the present guard the rear。 37 For the rest; we can but make experiment of this arrangement; and alter it with deliberation; as from time to time any improvement suggests itself。 If any one has a better plan to propose; let him do so。〃 。 。 。 No dissentient voice was heard。 Accordingly he said: 〃Those in favour of this resolution; hold up their hands。〃 The resolution was carried。 〃And now;〃 said he; 〃it would be well to separate and carry out what we have decreed。 If any of you has set his heart on seeing his friends again; let him remember to prove himself a man; there is no other way to achieve his heart's wish。 Or is mere living an object with any of you; strive to conquer; if to slay is the privilege of victory; to die is the doom of the defeated。 Or perhaps to gain money and wealth is your ambition; strive again for mastery; have not conquerors the double gain of keeping what is their own; whilst they seize the possessions of the vanquished?〃
III
The speaking was ended; they got up and retired; then they burnt the 1 wagons and the tents; and after sharing with one another what each needed out of their various superfluities; they threw the remnant into the fire。 Having done that; they proceeded to make their breakfasts。 While they were breakfasting; Mithridates came with about thirty horsemen; and summoning the generals within earshot; he thus addressed them: 〃Men of Hellas; I have been faithful to Cyrus; as you know well; and to…day I am your well…wisher; indeed; I am here spending my days in great fear: if then I could see any salutory course in prospect; I should be disposed to join you with all my retainers。 Please inform me; then; as to what you propose; regarding me as your friend and well…wisher; anxious only to pursue his march in your company。〃 The generals held council; and resolved to give the following answer; Cheirisophus acting as spokesman: 〃We have resolved to make our way through the country; inflicting the least possible damage; provided we are allowed a free passage homewards; but if any one tries to hinder 3 us; he will have to fight it out with us; and we shall bring all the force in our power to bear。〃 Thereat Mithridates set himself to prove to them that their deliverance; except with the king's good pleasure; was hopeless。 Then the meaning of his mission was plain。 He was an agent in disguise; in fact; a relation of Tissaphernes was in attendance to keep a check on his loyalty。 After that; the generals resolved that it would be better to proclaim open war; without truce or herald; as long as they were in the enemy's country; for they used to come and corrupt the soldiers; and they were even successful with one officerNicarchus'1'; an Arcadian; who went off in the night with about twenty men。
'1' Can this be the same man whose escape is so graphically described above?
After this; they breakfasted and crossed the river Zapatas; marching in regular order; with the beasts and mob of the army in the middle。 They had not advanced far on their route when Mithridates made his appearance again; with about a couple of hundred horsemen at his back; and bowmen and slingers twice as many; as nimble fellows as a man might hope to see。 He approached the Hellenes as if he were friendly; but when they had got fairly to close quarters; all of a sudden some of them; whether mounted or on foot; began shooting with their bows and arrows; and another set with slings; wounding the men。 The rearguard of the Hellenes suffered for a while severely without being able to retaliate; for the Cretans had a shorter range than the Persians; and at the same time; being light…armed troops; they lay cooped up within the ranks of the heavy infantry; while the javelin men again did not shoot far enough to reach the enemy's slingers。 This being so; Xenophon thought there was nothing for it but to charge; and charge they did; some of the heavy and light infantry; who were guarding the rear; with him; but for all their charging they did not