Chapter 19 Volume II VI

After the generals were captured, they were taken to the king and beheaded.One of them, Clearkus, is recognized by those who are familiar with him as extremely capable of fighting.First, he took part in the whole period of the war between the Rasidemones and the Athenians.Immediately after the peace he persuaded his country, the Thracians, to harm the Greeks, and after persuading the Spartan censors, he went to sea against Thracians, who dwelt on the side of Kersones and Perinthus. Sri Lankan.But when he had gone, the censors for some reason changed their minds, and wanted to recall him from the Isthmus of Corinth, but he refused to obey, and sailed resolutely for the Hellespont.As a result, he was sentenced to death by the Spartan authorities for disobeying orders.In exile, he came to Cyrus.His reasons for persuading Cyrus are elsewhere reported ②.In short, Cyrus gave him ten thousand darics, but after receiving this money, instead of pursuing a life of idleness and comfort, he used it to raise an army against the Thracians.He conquered them in battle; plundered them in every possible way since then, and continued to fight until Cyrus needed his troops.So he came back, still for war,

or any other writing by Xenophon.Perhaps when the author wrote this book he thought he had already said these things in the ninth verse of the first chapter of this book. ——English translator's note This time with Cyrus. In my opinion, this behavior shows that a person loves war.When he could have enjoyed peace without worry, he chose war; when he could have lived in peace, he preferred toil, if it was war; when he could have kept his money safe, he chose war. Willing to fight to consume it.With Clearkus, as one spends money on a loved one, or any other hobby, he spends it on war--he loves war so much.On the other hand, he seems to be more suitable for war, likes to take risks, is ready to lead troops to kill the enemy day and night, and is calm in the face of danger.In this regard, everyone who is always with him is recognized.He was also thought to be fit to command, because a man of his nature can command.For example, he managed, more than anyone else, to get the army to get supplies, and to get them.All who were with him felt that the words of Clearcus must be obeyed.This effect was achieved due to his rigor.He had a sullen look and a stern voice, and his punishments were often severe, sometimes in a fit of rage, which sometimes led to remorse.But he also followed the principle of punishment, because he believed that an army without punishment would be of no benefit.It is said that he actually used to say that a soldier who would do his duty well, not hurt a friend, or attack an enemy without excuse, must be more afraid of the command palace than the enemy.Therefore, in critical situations, the team unequivocally obeys him and asks him to lead.They say that at such moments his gloomy form appears bright, and his rigor is like a resolution against the enemy, which symbolizes safety instead of severity.But when they passed the danger and walked away to serve another commander, many would turn their backs on him, because he was not attractive, but always stern and rough, so that the soldiers treated him as a schoolboy treats a principal.For this reason also, he never had soldiers follow him out of friendship and goodwill, and those who were under him were against him because the government placed him under him, or because of their own needs, or because of any other necessity. He absolutely obeys.Once they have overcome the enemy under his hands, there are strong reasons for making his soldiers good soldiers from then on.For their confidence in the face of the enemy, and their fear of punishment at his hand made them disciplined.He was such a commander, but some said he didn't like being led by others.He was about fifty years old when he died.

Proxinus, the Boeotian, had from his youth an eager desire to become a man of great affairs.Out of this desire, he served Gorkya, a Leontin, as his master.After studying under his disciples, he believed that he had the talent to manage the world, and he could do something by himself after associating with the great men at that time, so he started this business with Cyrus, hoping to become famous, gain great power, and accumulate great wealth from it.But for all his great desires to achieve these great ends, it is evident that he does not wish to be injustice.He thought he must have them justly and nobly, or he would rather not.As a leader, he can command gentlemen, but he cannot make soldiers respect or fear him.On the contrary, he fears his soldiers more than those under his command fear him.Evidently, he was more afraid of being hated by the soldiers than they were of disobeying him.His idea was that for a person to be, or be seen to be, in command, it was enough to give credit to those who did it right and not praise those who did it wrong.The result is that among his subordinates, all gentlemen love him; but those unprincipled villains conspire against him, thinking that he is easy to deal with.He was about thirty when he died.

Menon the Thessaly was clearly greedy for great wealth—eager to gain command so that he might get more wealth, and eager to gain honor so that he could increase his income.He is willing to befriend the person with the greatest power so that he can do wrong with impunity.He considers the quickest and most convenient means of attaining the end which he desires to be through breach of oath, hypocrisy, and deceit, while frankness, squareness, and honesty to him equal folly. He clearly has no feelings for anyone.If he says he is friends with someone, it is clear that this is the person against whom he is plotting.He never laughed at an enemy, but always mocked in conversation

] impressions of colleagues.Nor does he plan to damage the property of the enemy, for he knows that it is difficult to obtain it from the vigilant.He thought he was the only one who knew that it was easiest to take a friend's property - simply by not being on guard.He is also afraid of all oath-breakers and villains, thinking that they are powerful, while those who are honest and real he tries to use, thinking that they are weak and easy to bully.Just as a man prides himself on being honest, faithful, and just, so Menon prides himself on being able to deceive and slander his friends.He always regarded the gentleman as uneducated.If he wants to be someone's best friend, he also thinks that slandering his old best friend is the right way to do that.As for making his soldiers obey, he did so by joining them in doing evil.He wants to be famous and successful by showing that he is most capable and most willing to do the worst things.Whenever someone breaks with him, he always regrets not destroying him before the breakup, too kind and cheap for him.

Of course, people may misunderstand him in matters that are not clear.But what is known is as follows: that when he was very young and well he had to be appointed by Aristipus as his mercenary general; pretty boy.Finally, when he himself was a youth, he had a bearded patron named Talibus.Now, when his fellow generals were put to death for participating in Cyrus' long march against the king, he did the same, but was not treated in that way, but the king imposed the death penalty after the other generals had been put to death.He was not beheaded like Clearcus and the other generals--which was considered the quickest way to die--but was said to have been tortured for a year before he died like a villain.

Achias the Arcadian and Socrates the Achaean were the other two who were put to death.No one ever laughed at him as a weakling in war or a questionable friendship.Both were about thirty-five years old.