友情提示:如果本网页打开太慢或显示不完整,请尝试鼠标右键“刷新”本网页!阅读过程发现任何错误请告诉我们,谢谢!! 报告错误
热门书库 返回本书目录 我的书架 我的书签 TXT全本下载 进入书吧 加入书签

anabasis-第3章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



 men; and at the sound of the bugle; with shields forward and spears in rest; they advanced to meet the enemy。 The pace quickened; and with a shout the soldiers spontaneously fell into a run; making in the direction of the camp。 Great was the panic of the barbarians。 The Cilician queen in her carriage turned and fled; the sutlers in the marketing place left their wares and took to their heels; and the Hellenes meanwhile came into camp with a roar of laughter。 What astounded the queen was the brilliancy and order of the armament; but Cyrus was pleased to see the terror inspired by the Hellenes in the hearts of the Asiatics。

From this place he marched on three stagestwenty parasangsto Iconium; the last city of Phrygia; where he remained three days。 Thence he marched through Lycaonia five stagesthirty parasangs。 This was hostile country; and he gave it over to the Hellenes to pillage。 At this point Cyrus sent back the Cilician queen to her own country by the quickest route; and to escort her he sent the soldiers of Menon; and Menon himself。 With the rest of the troops he continued his march through Cappadocia four stagestwenty…five parasangsto Dana; a populous city; large and flourishing。 Here they halted three days; within which interval Cyrus put to death; on a charge of conspiracy; a Persian nobleman named Megaphernes; a wearer of the royal purple; and along with him another high dignitary among his subordinate commanders。

From this place they endeavoured to force a passage into Cilicia。 Now   21 the entrance was by an exceedingly steep cart…road; impracticable for an army in face of a resisting force; and report said that Syennesis was on the summit of the pass guarding the approach。 Accordingly they halted a day in the plain; but next day came a messenger informing them that Syenesis had left the pass; doubtless; after perceiving that Menon's army was already in Cilicia on his own side of the mountains; and he had further been informed that ships of war; belonging to the Lacedaemonians and to Cyrus himself; with Tamos on board as admiral; were sailing round from Ionia to Cilicia。 Whatever the reason might be; Cyrus made his way up into the hills without let or hindrance; and came in sight of the tents where the Cilicians were on guard。 From that point he descended gradually into a large and beautiful plain country; well watered; and thickly covered with trees of all sorts and vines。 This plain produces sesame plentifully; as also panic and millet and barley and wheat; and it is shut in on all sides by a steep and lofty wall of mountains from sea to sea。 Descending through this plain country; he advanced four stagestwenty…five parasangsto Tarsus; a large and prosperous city of Cilicia。 Here stood the palace of Syennesis; the king of the country; and through the middle of the city flows a river called the Cydnus; two hundred feet broad。 They found that the city had been deserted by its inhabitants; who had betaken themselves; with Syennesis; to a strong place on the hills。 All had gone; except the tavern…keepers。 The sea…board inhabitants of Soli and Issi also remained。 Now Epyaxa; Syennesis's queen; had reached Tarsus five days in advance of Cyrus。 During their passage over the mountains into the plain; two companies of Menon's army were lost。 Some said they had been cut down by the Cilicians; while engaged on some pillaging affair; another account was that they had been left behind; and being unable to overtake the main body; or discover the route; had gone astray and perished。 However it was; they numbered one hundred hoplites; and when the rest arrived; being in a fury at the destruction of their fellow soldiers; they vented their spleen by pillaging the city of Tarsus and the palace to boot。 Now when Cyrus had marched into the city; he sent for Syennesis to come to him; but    26 the latter replied that he had never yet put himself into the hands of any one who was his superior; nor was he willing to accede to the proposal of Cyrus now; until; in the end; his wife persuaded him; and he accepted pledges of good faith。 After this they met; and Syennesis gave Cyrus large sums in aid of his army; while Cyrus presented him with the customary royal giftsto wit; a horse with a gold bit; a necklace of gold; a gold bracelet; and a gold scimitar; a Persian dress; and lastly; the exemption of his territory from further pillage; with the privilege of taking back the slaves that had been seized; wherever they might chance to come upon them。



III

At Tarsus Cyrus and his army halted for twenty days; the soldiers       1 refusing to advance further; since the suspicion ripened in their minds; that the expedition was in reality directed against the king; and as they insisted; they had not engaged their services for that object。 Clearchus set the example of trying to force his men to continue their march; but he had no sooner started at the head of his troops than they began to pelt him and his baggage train; and Clearchus had a narrow escape of being stoned to death there and then。 Later on; when he perceived that force was useless; he summoned an assembly of his own men; and for a long while he stood and wept; while the men gazed in silent astonishment。 At last he spoke as follows: 〃Fellow soldiers; do not marvel that I am sorely distressed on account of the present troubles。 Cyrus has been no ordinary friend to me。 When I was in banishment he honoured me in various ways; and made me also a present of ten thousand darics。 These I accepted; but not to lay them up for myself for private use; not to squander them in pleasure; but to expend them on yourselves。 And; first of all; I went to war with the Thracians; and with you to aid; I wreaked vengeance on them in behalf of Hellas; driving them out of the Chersonese; when they wanted to deprive its Hellenic inhabitants of their lands。 But as soon as Cyrus summoned me; I took you with me and set out; so that; if my benefactor had any need of me; I might requite him for the good treatment I myself had received at his hands。 。 。 。 But since you are not minded to continue the march with me; one of two things is left to  5 me to do; either I must renounce you for the sake of my friendship with Cyrus; or I must go with you at the cost of deceiving him。 Whether I am about to do right or not; I cannot say; but I choose yourselves; and; whatever betide; I mean to share your fate。 Never shall it be said of me by any one that; having led Greek troops against the barbarians'1'; I betrayed the Hellenes; and chose the friendship of the barbarian。 No! since you do not choose to obey and follow me; I will follow after you。 Whatever betide; I will share your fate。 I look upon you as my country; my friends; my allies; with you I think I shall be honoured; wherever I be; without you I do not see how I can help a friend or hurt a foe。 My decision is taken。 Wherever you go; I go also。〃

'1' Lit。 〃into the country of the barbarian。〃

Such were his words。 But the soldiers; not only his own; but the rest also; when they heard what he said; and how he had scouted the idea of going up to the great king's palace'2'; expressed their approval; and more than two thousand men deserted Xenias and Pasion; and 
返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0
未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!
温馨提示: 温看小说的同时发表评论,说出自己的看法和其它小伙伴们分享也不错哦!发表书评还可以获得积分和经验奖励,认真写原创书评 被采纳为精评可以获得大量金币、积分和经验奖励哦!