History of the World/History of the World (Bureau Development, Inc.)(1992).BIN/dp/0418/04189.txt

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$Title{Rollin's Ancient History: History Of The Persians And Grecians
Section I.}
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$Author{Rollin, Charles}
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$Date{1731}
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Title:       Rollin's Ancient History: History Of The Persians And Grecians
Book:        Chapter VIII.
Author:      Rollin, Charles
Date:        1731

Section I.

Young Cyrus, With The Aid Of The Grecian Troops, Endeavors To Dethrone His
Brother Artaxerxes.  He Is Killed.

Famous Retreat Of The Ten Thousand.

     Antiquity has few events so memorable as those I am about to relate in
this place.  We see on one side a young prince, abounding otherwise with
excellent qualities, abandoned to his violent ambition, carry the war from far
against his brother and sovereign, and go to attack him almost in his own
palace, with a view of depriving him at once of his crown and life.  We see
him fall dead in the battle at the feet of that brother, and terminate, by so
unhappy a fate, an enterprise equally bold and criminal. On the other hand,
the Greeks who follow him, destitute of all succor after the loss of their
chiefs, without allies, provisions, money, horse, or archers, reduced to no
more than ten thousand men, with no resource but in their own persons and
valor, supported only by the warm desire of preserving their liberty, and of
returning to their native countries; these Greeks, with bold and intrepid
resolution, make their retreat before a victorious army of a million of men,
traverse five or six hundred leagues, notwithstanding vast rivers and
innumerable passes, and arrive at last in their own country through a thousand
fierce and barbarous nations, victorious over all obstacles in their way, and
over all the dangers which either concealed fraud or open force compel them to
undergo. ^676

[Footnote 676: Post mortem Cyri, neque armis a tanto exercitu vinci, neque
dolo capi potuerunt; revertentesque intestot indomitas nationes et barbaras
gentes, per tanta itineris spatia, virtute se usque terminos patriae
defenderunt. - Justin. l. v. c. 11.]

     This retreat, in the opinion of the best judges, and most experienced in
the art of war, is the boldest and best conducted exploit to be found in
ancient history, and is deemed a perfect model in its kind.  Happily for us,
it is described to the most minute circumstance by a historian, who was not
only an eye-witness of the facts he relates, but the director, the soul of
this great enterprise.  I shall only abridge it, and abstract its most
material circumstances; but I cannot omit advising young persons, who make
arms their profession, to consult the original, of which there is a good
translation extant in French, though far short of the admirable text.  It is
very difficult to meet with a more able master then Xenophon in the art of
war, to whom may be well applied here, what Homer says of Phoenix, the
governor of Achilles, "that he was equally capable of forming his pupil for
eloquence or arms." ^677

[Footnote 677: Iliad. x. ver. 443.]

Section I: Cyrus Raises Troops Against His Brother Artaxerxes.

     We have already said that young Cyrus, son of Darius Nothus and
Parysatis, saw with pain his elder brother Artaxerxes upon the throne, and
that at the very time the latter was taking possession of it, he had attempted
to deprive him of his crown and life together. ^678 Artexerxes was not
sensible of what he had to fear from a brother of his enterprising and
ambitious spirit, but could not refuse pardoning him to the prayers and tears
of his mother Parysatis, who doted upon this youngest son.  He removed him
therefore into Asia to his government; confiding to him, contrary to all the
rules of policy, an absolute authority over the provinces left him by the will
of the king, his father.

[Footnote 678: A. M 3600.  Ant. J. C. 404.  Diod. l. xiv. pp. 248-249, 252.
Justin. l. v. c. 11.  Xenoph. de Cyr. Exped. l. i. pp. 243-248.]

     As soon as he arrived there, his thoughts were solely intent upon
revenging the supposed affront he had received from his brother, and to
dethrone him. ^679 He received all who came from the court with great favor
and affability, to induce them insensibly to quit the king's party, and adhere
to him.  He gained, also, the hearts of the barbarians under his government:
familiarizing himself with them, and mingling with the common soldiery, though
without forgetting the dignity of their general; these he formed by various
exercises for the duties of war.  He applied particularly in secret to raise
from several parts, and upon different pretexts, a body of Grecian troops,
upon whom he relied much more than upon those of the barbarians.  Clearchus
retired to his court after having been banished from Sparta, and was of great
service to him, being an able, experienced, and valiant captain.  At the same
time, several cities in the provinces of Tissaphernes revolted from their
obedience in favor of Cyrus. This incident, which was not an effect of chance,
but of the secret practices of that prince, gave birth to a war between them.
Cyrus, under the pretence of arming against Tissaphernes, assembled troops
openly; and to amuse the court more speciously, sent grievous complaints to
the king against that governor, demanding his protection and aid in the most
submissive manner.  Artaxerxes was deceived by these appearances, and believed
that all the preparations by Cyrus only related to Tissaphernes, and continued
quiet, from the assurance of having nothing to apprehend for himself. ^680

[Footnote 679: A. M. 3601.  Ant. J. C. 403.]

[Footnote 680: A. M. 3602.  Ant. J. C. 402.]

     Cyrus knew well how to improve the imprudent security and indolence of
his brother, which some people conceived the effect of his goodness and
humanity.  And indeed, in the beginning of his reign, he seemed to imitate the
virtues of the first Artaxerxes, whose name he bore: for he demeaned himself
with great mildness and affability to such as approached him; he honored and
rewarded magnificently all those whose services had merited favor; when he
passed sentence to punish, it was without either outrage or insult; and when
he made presents, it was with a gracious air, and such obliging circumstances
as infinitely exhalted their value, and implied that he was never better
pleased than when he had an opportunity of doing good to his subjects.  To all
these excellent qualities it had been very necessary for him to have added one
no less royal, and which would have put him upon his guard against the
enterprises of a brother, whose character he ought to have known; I mean a
wise foresight, that penetrates the future, and renders a prince attentive to
prevent or frustrate whatever may disturb the tranquillity of the state. ^681

[Footnote 681: Plut. in Artax. p. 1014.]

     The emissaries of Cyrus at the court were perpetually dispersing reports
and opinions among the people, to prepare their minds for the intended change
and revolt.  They said that the state required a king of Cyrus's character; a
king, magnificent, liberal, who loved war, and showered his favors upon those
who served him; and that it was necessary for the grandeur of the empire to
have a prince upon the throne, fired with ambition and valor for the support
and augmentation of its glory.

     The young prince lost no time on his side, and hastened the execution of
his great design.  He was then not more than twenty-three years old. After the
important services which he had rendered the Lacedaemonians, without which
they could never have obtained the victories that had made them masters of
Greece, he thought he might safely open himself to them. He therefore imparted
to them the present situation of his affairs, and the end he had in view;
convinced that such a confidence could not but incline them the more in his
favor. ^682

[Footnote 682: A. M. 3603.  Ant. J. C. 401.]

     In the letter he wrote them, he spoke of himself in very magnificent
terms.  He told them he had a greater and more loyal heart than his brother:
that he was better versed in philosophy and the knowledge of the magi: ^683
and that he could drink more wine than he, without being disordered in his
senses; a very meritorious quality among the barbarians, but not proper to
recommend him to the opinions of those he wrote to.  The Lacedaemonians sent
orders to their fleet to join that of the prince immediately, and to obey the
commands of Tamos his admiral, in all things, but without the least mention of
Artaxerxes, or seeming in any manner privy to his design.  They thought that
precaution necessary for their justification with Artaxerxes, in case affairs
should happen to terminate in his favor. ^684

[Footnote 683: By the knowledge of the magi, among the Persians, was meant the
science of religion and government.]

[Footnote 684: Quaerentes apud Cyrum gratiam; et apud Artaxerxem, si vicisset,
venim patrocinia, cum nihil adventus eum aperte decrevissent. - Justin. l. v.
c. 11.]

     The troops of Cyrus, according to the review afterwards made, consisted
of thirteen thousand Greeks, which were the flower and chief force of his
army, and of a hundred thousand regular men of the barbarous nations.
Clearchus, the lacedaemonian, commanded all the Peloponnesian troops, except
the Achaeans, who were led by Socrates of Achaia.  The Boeotian were under
Proxenes the Theban, and the Thessalians under Menon. The barbarians were
commanded by Persian generals, the chief of whom was Ariaeus. The fleet
consisted of thirty-five ships under Pythagoras the Lacedaemonian, and of
twenty-five commanded by Tamos, the Egyptian, admiral of the whole fleet.  It
followed the land-army, coasting along the shore. ^685

[Footnote 685: Xenoph. Cyri. Exped. l. i. p. 252.]

     Cyrus had opened his design only to Clearchus of all the Greeks, rightly
foreseeing that the length and boldness of the enterprise could not fail of
discouraging and disgusting the officers as well as soldiers. He made it his
sole application to gain their affections during the march, by treating them
with kindness and humanity, conversing freely with them, and giving strict
orders that they should want for nothing.  Proxenes, between whose family and
Xenophon's an ancient friendship subsisted, presented that young Athenian to
Cyrus who received him very favorably, and gave him an employment in his army
among the Greeks. ^686 He at length set out for Sardis, and marched towards
the upper provinces of Asia.  The troops knew neither the occasion of the war,
nor into what countries they were going.  Cyrus had only caused it to be given
out that he should act against the Pisidians, who had infested his province by
their incursions.

[Footnote 686: Xenoph. l. i. pp. 48-291.]

     Tissaphernes, rightly judging that all these preparations were too great
for an enterprise destined only against Pisidia, had hastened from Miletus, to
give the king an account of them.  This news occasioned great trouble at
court.  Parysatis, the mother of Artaxerxes and Cyrus, was looked upon as the
principal cause of this war; and all persons in her service and interest were
suspected of holding intelligence with Cyrus. Statira, especially, the
reigning queen, reproached her incessantly in the most violent terms.  "Where
is now," said she to her, "that faith you have so often engaged for your son's
behavior?  Where those ardent prayers you employed to preserve from death that
conspirator against his king and brother?  It is your unhappy fondness that
has kindled this war, and plunged us into an abyss of misfortunes." The
antipathy and hatred of the two queens for each other was already very great,
and much inflamed by such warm reproaches.  We shall hereafter see their
consequences. Artaxerxes assembled a numerous army to receive his brother.
^687

[Footnote 687: Plut in Artax. p. 1014.]

     Cyrus advanced continually by great marches.  What troubled him most on
the way was the pass of Cilicia, which was a narrow defile between very high
and steep mountains, that would admit no more than one carriage to pass at a
time.  Syennesis, king of the country, prepared to dispute this passage with
him, and would infallibly have succeeded, but for the diversion made by Tamos
with his fleet, in conjunction with that of the Lacedaemonians.  To defend the
coasts against the insults of the fleet, Syennesis abandoned that important
post, which a small body of troops might have maintained against the greatest
army. ^688

[Footnote 688: Xenoph. l. i. pp. 248-261.]

     When they arrived at Tarsus, the Greeks refused to march any farther,
rightly suspecting that they were intended against the king, and loudly
exclaiming that they had not entered into the service upon that condition.
Clearchus, who commanded them, had occasion for all his address and ability to
stifle this commotion in its birth.  At first he made use of authority and
force, but with very ill success, and desisted therefore from an open
opposition to their sentiments; he even affected to enter into their views,
and to support them with his approbation and credit.  He declared publicly
that he would not separate himself from them, and advised them to depute
persons to the prince, to know from his own mouth against whom they were to be
led, that they might follow him voluntarily if they approved his measures; if
not, that they might demand his permission to withdraw.  By this artful
evasion he appeased the tumult, and pacified them; and they chose him and some
other officers for their deputies.  Cyrus, whom he had secretly apprised of
every thing, made answer that he was going to attack Abrocomas his enemy, at
twelve days' march from thence upon the Euphrates. ^689 When this answer was
repeated to them, though they plainly saw against whom they were marching they
resolved to proceed, and only demanded an augmentation of their pay. Cyrus,
instead of one daric a month to each soldier, promised to give them one and a
half. ^690

[Footnote 689: It is not said where he commanded.  It appears to have been
upon the Euphrates.  He marched with three hundred thousand men to join the
king's army, but did not arrive till after the battle.]

[Footnote 690: The daric was worth $1.87 1/2.]

     Some time after, Cyrus was informed that two of the principal officers,
upon account of a private quarrel with Clearchus, had deserted with part of
their equipage on board a merchant ship.  Many were of opinion that it was
proper to send two galleys after them, which might be done with great ease;
and that when they were brought back, they should be made an example, by
suffering death in the sight of the whole army. Cyrus, convinced that favor
^691 was the most certain means to the attainment of affection, and that
punishments, like violent remedies, ought never to be used but in extreme
necessity, declared publicly that he would not suffer it to be said that he
had detained any one in his service by force; and added, that he would send
them their wives and children, whom they had left as hostages in his hands.
An answer of so much wisdom and generosity had a surprising effect: and even
made those his firm adherents, who were before inclined to retire.  This is an
excellent lesson for all who govern.  There is in the mind of man a fund of
natural generosity, which it is necessary to know and apply.  Threats
exasperate them, and chastisement makes them revolt, when endeavors are used
to force them to do their duty against their will.  They desire a certain
degree of confidence in their honor, and that the glory of acquitting
themselves of it out of choice be left in their power.  To show that you
believe men faithful, is often the best means to make them so. ^692

[Footnote 691: Beneficiis potius quam remediis ingenia experiri placuit. -
Plin. in Traj.]

[Footnote 692: Nescio an plus moribus conferat princeps, qui bonos esse
patitur, quam qui cogit. - Plin. Traj.

     Plerumque habita fides ipsam obligat fidem. - Liv.]

     Cyrus soon after declared that he marched against Artaxerxes.  Upon which
some murmuring was heard at first; but it soon gave place to the expressions
of joy and satisfaction, occasioned by that prince's magnificent promises to
the army.

     As Cyrus advanced by long marches, he was informed from all parts, that
the king did not intend to come directly to a battle, but had resolved to wait
in the remote parts of Persia, till all his forces were assembled; and that to
stop his enemies, he had ordered an entrenchment to be thrown up in the plains
of Babylon, with a fosse five fathoms broad, and three deep, extending the
distance of twelve parasangas ^693 or leagues, from the Euphrates to the wall
of Media.  Between the Euphrates and the fosse a way had been left of twenty
feet in breadth, by which Cyrus passed with his whole army, having reviewed it
the day before.  The king had neglected to dispute this pass with him, and
suffered him to continue his march towards Babylon. It was Tiribasus who
determined him not to fly in such a manner before an enemy, against whom he
had infinite advantages, as well from the number of his troops, as the valor
of his generals.  He resolved therefore to advance against the enemy. ^694

[Footnote 693: The parasanga is a measure peculiar to the Persians.  It was
commonly thirty stadia.  Some were from twenty to sixty stadia.  In the march
of Cyrus's army, I suppose the parasanga only twenty stadia for reasons I
shall give hereafter.]

[Footnote 694: Plut. in Artax. p. 1014.  Xenoph. l. i. pp. 261-266.]