Home Categories world history The Long March

Chapter 8 Volume 1 V

The Long March 色诺芬 1887Words 2018-03-21
From this he marched through Arabia, passing through the desert land on the left bank of the Euphrates five stations, thirty-five Parasang.This area is a continuous horizontal plain covered with wormwood. No matter what kind of shrubs or reeds grow on the plain, it is always fragrant like spices.Not a single tree.But there are all kinds of beasts.In addition to a large number of wild asses, bustards and antelopes, there are also many ostriches.These animals are sometimes hunted with riders.As for wild asses, whenever they are pursued, they run forward, stop for a while--for they are much faster than horses--and then, when the horse comes near, they run and stop like that again, without stopping. It is possible to catch them, unless the hunters are spaced out and hunted in relay.The meat of the hunted donkey is more tender than deer breast.

But the ostrich was not hunted; and the ostrich hunters soon gave up, for as soon as it flew, it left the hunter behind. It not only tightens its legs, but also spreads its wings, pushing it forward like a sail.But bustards are huntable, and if you hunt them nimbly, move fast because they only fly short distances.Like the partridge, it can only fly short distances, and after a while it can't fly.Its meat is very delicious. Marching forward through this region, they reached the Mascas River.The river is a platron wide.On this wasteland there is a great city called Corsoti, completely surrounded by the Mascas River.Here they stayed for three days to replenish supplies.From this Cyrus advanced through the wilderness for thirteen stations and ninety parasangs, and along the left bank of the Euphrates he reached Pillai.During the march, many pack animals carrying military supplies died of starvation.Because there is no grass here, in fact, this area is completely barren, bare and without any kind of life.The people living here make a living by mining and making millstones along the river bank.They transported the millstones to Babylon and sold them in exchange for grain.As for these armies, their supplies were exhausted, and it was impossible to buy any replenishment, except a carpit of wheat flour or a carpit of flour at four siglous from the supply market of the Lydians who followed Cyrus's army. barley noodles.A sigloo is worth seven and a half Athenians, and a Capitol holds two Athenics.Soldiers, therefore, made do by eating meat.Sometimes Cyrus made very long stops across the heath in order to get water or fresh fodder.

Once they encountered a narrow and muddy place, and it was difficult for vehicles to pass.Cyrus stopped with his noble retinue, and ordered Gluus and Pigris to lead some Persian soldiers to help pull the chariot out.He felt that these people worked slowly and without energy.So, as if he was angry, he ordered the noble Persian guards to help and push the car on the road.At that time, they showed a typical example of strict discipline: each of them threw off his purple robe immediately on the spot, and rushed forward along the extremely steep hillside like a man rushing to victory, wearing luxurious short robes and trousers, Some of them also wore necklaces and bracelets.Wearing these costumes, they immediately jumped into the mud, lifted the car cleanly, and rescued the car with incredible speed.In general, Cyrus evidently made haste throughout the journey without delay, unless it was for provision or for some other necessary purpose.His idea was that the faster he traveled, the more he would be able to take the king by surprise and prevent him from fighting; and if he moved slowly, the slower the king would be able to muster more troops.There is another layer, and a discerning person can see at a glance: the strength of the kingdom lies in its vast territory and large population; but due to the long distance and scattered armies, if a quick attack is launched against it, it will be strong but weak.

Across the Euphrates, on the way to this wasteland march was a great and prosperous city called Karmand. Soldiers bought supplies here.The next day they crossed the river in rafts in this way: they filled the tent hides with hay, and then sewed the sides together so that the water would not wet the grass.On these straw sacks they crossed the river and were provided with - wine made from dates and steamed buns made from millet, which was abundant in the area. At this time, there was an altercation between one of Menon's soldiers and one of Clearcus's soldiers.Clearcus judged that Menon's soldiers had made a mistake, and punished them with rods.When the soldier returned to his team, he said it.accomplice listened

In this matter, without indignation, he was very angry with Clearcus. On the same day, Clearcus went to the other side of the river, and after inspecting the market, he passed by the garrison of Menon's troops when he rode back to his camp.He took only a few soldiers with him.At this time Cyrus was still advancing to this place and had not yet arrived.A Menon soldier who was chopping wood saw Clearcus riding on the campsite, and threw an ax at him.Missing, another throws a stone, and yet another throws at him. With a shout, many people joined the battle group.Clearkus fled back to his camp, and immediately ordered his troops to prepare for battle.He ordered the hoplites to stand still, holding their shields to their knees, while he himself led the Thracians and more than forty cavalry, who were mostly Thracians, to attack Menon's troops.Menon's men and himself were greatly astonished, and immediately took up their arms for battle, although some stood still at this scene, bewildered.At this time Proxinus arrived a little later than the others, leading a battalion of hoplites who had just arrived.He immediately led the troops to intervene between the two sides and suppressed them.He begged Clearcus not to continue the attack, but Clearcus was exasperated because Proxinus downplayed his grievance when he was nearly stoned to death.He told Proxinus to withdraw, and not to mind the matter.At this moment Cyrus also came and learned of the situation.Immediately, spear in hand, he rode to the place of intercession with his staff who were with him at that time, and said: "Clircus, Proxinus, and all the other Greek brethren present, you do not understand what you are doing For you fight each other, there is no question, and I will be killed immediately, and you will be the same after you. For if we kill each other, these people will be worse than those who support the king's side. We are more hostile." Hearing these words, Clearkus woke up, and the two stopped their quarrel and went back to the camp.

Press "Left Key ←" to return to the previous chapter; Press "Right Key →" to enter the next chapter; Press "Space Bar" to scroll down.
Chapters
Chapters
Setting
Setting
Add
Return
Book