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in hunting nor his throne in time of danger。 The Lacedaemonians; his
letter being read; sent a staff to Clearchus; commanding him to obey
Cyrus in all things。 So Cyrus marched towards the king; having under
his conduct a numerous host of barbarians; and but little less than
thirteen thousand stipendiary Grecians; alleging first one cause; then
another; for his expedition。 Yet the true reason lay not long
concealed; but Tisaphernes went to the king in person to declare it。
Thereupon; the court was all in an uproar and tumult; the queen…mother
bearing almost the whole blame of the enterprise; and her retainers
being suspected and accused。 Above all; Statira angered her by
bewailing the war and passionately demanding where were now the
pledges and the intercession which saved the life of him that
conspired against his brother; 〃to the end;〃 she said; 〃that he
might plunge us all into war and trouble。〃 For which words Parysatis
hating Statira; and being naturally implacable and savage in her anger
and revenge; consulted how she might destroy her。 But since Dinon
tells us that her purpose took effect in the time of the war; and
Ctesias says it was after it; I shall keep the story for the place
to which the latter assigns it; as it is very unlikely that he; who
was actually present; should not know the time when it happened; and
there was no motive to induce him designedly to misplace its date in
his narrative of it; though it is not infrequent with him in his
history to make excursions from truth into mere fiction and romance。
  As Cyrus was upon the march; rumours and reports were brought him;
as though the king still deliberated; and were not minded to fight and
presently to join battle with him; but to wait in the heart of his
kingdom until his forces should have come in thither from all parts of
his dominions。 He had cut a trench through the plain ten fathoms in
breadth; and as many in depth the length of it being no less than four
hundred furlongs; he be allowed Cyrus to pass across it; and to
advance almost to the city of Babylon。 Then Teribazus; as the report
goes; was the first that had the boldness to tell the king that he
ought not to avoid the conflict; nor to abandon Media; Babylon; and
even Susa; and hide himself in Persis; when all the while he had an
army many times over more numerous than his enemies; and an infinite
company of governors and captains that were better soldiers and
politicians than Cyrus。 So at last he resolved to fight; as soon as it
was possible for him。 Making; therefore; his first appearance; all
on a sudden; at the head of nine hundred thousand well…marshalled men;
he so startled and surprised the enemy; who with the confidence of
contempt were marching on their way in no order; and with their arms
not ready for use; that Cyrus; in the midst of such noise and
tumult; was scarcely able to form them for battle。 Moreover; the
very manner in which he led on his men; silently and slowly; made
the Grecians stand amazed at his good discipline; who had expected
irregular shouting and leaping; much confusion and separation
between one body of men and another; in so vast a multitude of troops。
He also placed the choicest of his armed chariots in the front of
his own phalanx over against the Grecian troops; that a violent charge
with these might cut open their ranks before they closed with them。
  But as this battle is described by many historians; and Xenophon
in particular as good as shows it us by eyesight; not as a past event;
but as a present action; and by his vivid account makes his hearers
feel all the passions and join in all the dangers of it; it would be
folly in me to give any larger account of it than barely to mention
any things omitted by him which yet deserve to be recorded。 The place;
then; in which the two armies were drawn out is called Cunaxa; being
about five hundred furlongs distant from Babylon。 And here Clearchus
beseeching Cyrus before the fight to retire behind the combatants; and
not expose himself to hazard; they say he replied; 〃What is this;
Clearchus? Would you have me; who aspire to empire; show myself
unworthy of it?〃 But if Cyrus committed a great fault in entering
headlong into the midst of danger; and not paying any regard to his
own safety; Clearchus was as much to blame; if not more; in refusing
to lead the Greeks against the main body of the enemy; where the
king stood; and in keeping his right wing close to the river; for fear
of being surrounded。 For if he wanted; above all other things; to be
safe; and considered it his first object to sleep in a whole skin;
it had been his best way not to have stirred from home。 But; after
marching in arms ten thousand furlongs from the sea…coast; simply on
his choosing; for the purpose of placing Cyrus on the throne; to
look about and select a position which would enable him; not to
preserve him under whose pay and conduct he was; but himself to engage
with more ease and security; seemed much like one that through fear of
present dangers had abandoned the purpose of his actions; and been
false to the design of his expedition。 For it is evident from the very
event of the battle that none of those who were in array around the
king's person could have stood the shock of the Grecian charge; and
had they been beaten out of the field; and Artaxerxes either fled or
fallen; Cyrus would have gained by the victory; not only safety; but a
crown。 And; therefore; Clearchus by his caution must be considered
more to blame for the result in the destruction of the life and
fortune of Cyrus; than he by his heat and rashness。 For had the king
made it his business to discover a place; where having posted the
Grecians; he might encounter them with the least hazard; he would
never have found out any other but that which was most remote from
himself and those near him; of his defeat in which he was
insensible; and; though Clearchus had the victory; yet Cyrus could not
know of it; and could take no advantage of it before his fall。 Cyrus
knew well enough what was expedient to be done; and commanded
Clearchus with his men to take their place in the centre。 Clearchus
replied that he would take care to have all arranged as was best;
and then spoiled all。
  For the Grecians; where they were; defeated the barbarians till they
were weary; and chased them successfully a very great way。 But Cyrus
being mounted upon a noble but a headstrong and hard…mouthed horse;
bearing the name; as Ctesias tells us; of Pasacas; Artagerses; the
leader of the Cadusians; galloped up to him; crying aloud; 〃O most
unjust and senseless of men; who are the disgrace of the honoured name
of Cyrus; are you come here leading the wicked Greeks on a wicked
journey; to plunder the good things of the Persians; and this with the
intent of slaying your lord and brother; the master of ten thousand
times ten thousand servants that are better men than you? as you shall
see this instant; for you shall lose your head here; before you look
upon the face of the king。〃 Which when he had said; he cast his
javelin at him。 But his coat of mail stoutly repelled it; and Cyrus
was not wounded; yet the stroke falling heavy upon him; he reeled
under it。 Then Artagerses turning his horse; Cyrus threw his weapon;
and sent the head of it through his neck near the shoulder bone。 So
that it is almost universally agreed to by all the authors that
Artagerses was slain by him。
  But as to the death of Cyrus; since Xenophon; as being himself no
eyewitness of it; has stated it simply and in few words; it may not be
amiss perhaps to run over on the one hand what Dinon; and on the
other; what Ctesias has said of it。
  Dinon then affirms that; after the death of Artagerses; Cyrus;
furiously attacking the guard of Artaxerxes; wounded the king's horse;
and so dismounted him; and when Teribazus had quickly lifted him up
upon another; and said to him; 〃O king; remember this day; which is
not one to be forgotten;〃 Cyrus; again spurring up his horse; struck
down Artaxerxes。 But at the third assault the king being enraged;
and saying to those near him that death was more eligible; made up
to Cyrus; who furiously and blindly rushed in the face of the
weapons opposed to him。 So the king struck him with a javelin; as
likewise did those that were about him。 And thus Cyrus falls; as
some say; by the hand of the king; as others by the dart of a
Carian; to whom Artaxerxes for a reward of his achievement gave the
privilege of carrying ever after a golden cock upon his spear before
the first ranks of the army in all expeditions。 For the Persians
call the men of Caria cocks; because of the crests with which they
adorn their helmets。
  But the account of Ctesias; to put it shortly; omitting many
details; is as follows: Cyrus; after the death of Artagerses; rode
up against the king; as he did against him; neither exchanging a
word with the other。 But Ariaeus; Cyrus's friend; was beforehand
with him; and darted first at the king; yet wounded him not。 Then
the king cast his lance at his brother; but missed him; though he both
hit and slew Satiphernes; a noble man and a faithful friend to
Cyrus。 Then Cyrus directed his l

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