anabasis-第9章
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enemy。 It was then that Cyrus; in apprehension lest the king might get round to the rear and cut to pieces the Hellenic body; charged to meet him。 Attacking with his six hundred; he mastered the line of troops in front of the king; and put to flight the six thousand; cutting down; as is said; with his own hand their general; Artagerses。
But as soon as the rout commenced; Cyrus's own six hundred themselves; in the ardour of pursuit; were scattered; with the exception of a handful who were left with Cyrus himselfchiefly his table companions; so…called。 Left alone with these; he caught sight of the king; and the close throng about him。 Unable longer to contain himself; with a cry; 〃I see the man;〃 he rushed at him and dealt a blow at his chest; wounding him through the corselet。 This; according to the statement of Ctesias the surgeon'5'; who further states that he himself healed the wound。 As Cyrus delivered the blow; some one struck him with a javelin under the eye severely; and in the struggle which then ensued between the king and Cyrus and those about them to protect one or other; we have the statement of Ctesias as to the number slain 27 on the king's side; for he was by his side。 On the other; Cyrus himself fell; and eight of his bravest companions lay on the top of him。 The story says that Artapes; the trustiest among his wand…wearers; when he saw that Cyrus had fallen to the ground; leapt from his horse and threw his arms about him。 Then; as one account says; the king bade one slay him as a worthy victim to his brother: others say that Artapates drew his scimitar and slew himself by his own hand。 A golden scimitar it is true; he had; he wore also a collar and bracelets and the other ornaments such as the noblest Persians wear; for his kindliness and fidelity had won him honours at the hands of Cyrus。
'5' 〃Ctesias; the son of Ctesiochus; was a physician of Cnidos。 Seventeen years of his life were passed at the court of Persia; fourteen in the service of Darios; three in that of Artaxerxes; he returned to Greece in 398 B。C。;〃 and 〃was employed by Artaxerxes in diplomatic services。〃 See Mure; also Ch。 Muller; for his life and works。 He wrote (1) a history on Persian affairs in three partsAssyrian; Median; Persianwith a chapter 〃On Tributes;〃 (2) a history of Indian affairs (written in the vein of Sir John Maundeville; Kt。); (3) a Periplus; (4) a treatise on Mountains; (5) a treatise on Rivers。
IX
So died Cyrus; a man the kingliest'1' and most worthy to rule of all 1 the Persians who have lived since the elder Cyrus: according to the concurrent testimony of all who are reputed to have known him intimately。 To begin from the beginning; when still a boy; and whilst being brought up with his brother and the other lads; his unrivalled excellence was recognised。 For the sons of the noblest Persians; it must be known; are brought up; one and all; at the king's portals。 Here lessons of sobreity and self…control may largely be laid to heart; while there is nothing base or ugly for eye or ear to feed upon。 There is the daily spectacle ever before the boys of some receiving honour from the king; and again of others receiving dishonour; and the tale of all this is in their ears; so that from earliest boyhood they learn how to rule and to be ruled。
'1' The character now to be drawn is afterwards elaborated into the Cyrus of the Cyropaedeia。
In this courtly training Cyrus earned a double reputation; first he was held to be a paragon of modesty among his fellows; rendering an obedience to his elders which exceeded that of many of his own inferiors; and next he bore away the palm for skill in horsemanship and for love of the animal itself。 Nor less in matters of war; in the use of the bow and the javelin; was he held by men in general to be at 5 once the aptest of learners and the most eager practiser。 As soon as his age permitted; the same pre…eminence showed itself in his fondness for the chase; not without a certain appetite for perilous adventure in facing the wild beasts themselves。 Once a bear made a furious rush at him'2'; and without wincing he grappled with her; and was pulled from his horse; receiving wounds the scars of which were visible through life; but in the end he slew the creature; nor did he forget him who first came to his aid; but made him enviable in the eyes of many。
'2' The elder Cyrus; when a boy; kills not a bear but a boar。
After he had been sent down by his father to be satrap of Lydia and Great Phrygia and Cappadocia; and had been appointed general of the forces; whose business it is to muster in the plain of the Castolus; nothing was more noticeable in his conduct than the importance which he attached to the faithful fulfilment of every treaty or compact or undertaking entered into with others。 He would tell no lies to any one。 Thus doubtless it was that he won the confidence alike of individuals and of the communities entrusted to his care; or in case of hostility; a treaty made with Cyrus was a guarantee sufficient to the combatant that he would suffer nothing contrary to its terms。 Therefore; in the war with Tissaphernes; all the states of their own accord chose Cyrus in lieu of Tissaphernes; except only the men of Miletus; and these were only alienated through fear of him; because he refused to abandon their exiled citizens; and his deeds and words bore emphatic witness to his principle: even if they were weakened in number or in fortune; he would never abandon those who had once become his friends。
He made no secret of his endeavour to outdo his friends and his foes alike in reciprocity of conduct。 The prayer has been attributed to him; 〃God grant I may live along enough to recompense my friends and requite my foes with a strong arm。〃 However this may be; no one; at least in our days; ever drew together so ardent a following of friends; eager to lay at his feet their money; their cities; their own lives and persons; nor is it to be inferred from this that he suffered the malefactor and the wrongdoer to laugh him to scorn; on the 13 contrary; these he punished most unflinchingly。 It was no rare sight to see on the well…trodden highways; men who had forfeited hand or foot or eye; the result being that throughout the satrapy of Cyrus any one; Hellene or barbarian; provided he were innocent; might fearlessly travel wherever he pleased; and take with him whatever he felt disposed。 However; as all allowed; it was for the brave in war that he reserved especial honour。 To take the first instance to hand; he had a war with the Pisidians and Mysians。 Being himself at the head of an expedition into those territories; he could observe those who voluntarily encountered risks; these he made rulers of the territory which he subjected; and afterwards honoured them with other gifts。 So that; if the good and brave were set on a pinnacle of fortune; cowards were recognised as their natural slaves; and so it befell that Cyrus never had lack of volunteers in any service of danger; whenever it was expected that his eye would be upon them。
So again; wherever he might discover any one ready to distinguish himself in the service of uprightness; his delight was to make this man richer than those who seek for gain by unfair means。 On the same principle; his own administration was in all respects uprightly conducted; and; in particular; he secured the services of an army worthy of the name。 Generals; and sabulterns alike; came to him from across the seas; not merely to make money; but because they saw that loyalty to Cyrus was a more profitable investment than so many pounds a month。 Let any man whatsoever render him willing service; such enthusiasm was sure to win its reward。 And so Cyrus could always command the service of the best assistants; it was said; whatever the work might be。
Or if he saw any skilful and just steward who furnished well the country over which he ruled; and created revenues; so far from robbing him at any time; to him who had; he delighted to give more。 So that toil was a pleasure; and gains were amassed with confidence; and least of all from Cyrus would a man conceal the amount of his possessions; seeing that he showed no je