[Footnote 155: [Greek: Skythai toxotai].] As there is no mention of Scythians in the whole Anabasis, Krüger, in his larger edition, suggested that the word [Greek: Skythai] might have been written in the margin by some sciolist, who was thinking of the Athenian [Greek: toxotai]; but in his smaller edition he has shown that he has learned something better from Arrian, Tact. ii. 13: "Those of the cavalry who use bows are called [Greek: hippotoxotai], and by some [Greek: Skythai]." Kühner.]
[Footnote 156: In order that they might fall with the greater weight. Bornemann. Or perhaps, as Bishop Thirlwall thinks, that they might reach a greater distance.]
[Footnote 157: [Greek: Ponêrôs].] From [Greek: ponêros], difficult, not from [Greek: ponêros], bad. See Thucyd. viii. 24, ed. Popp. part iii. vol. iv. p. 658, seqq.Kühner.]
[Footnote 158: [Greek: Kai euepitheton hên entautha tois polemiois]. I have rendered this phrase agreeably to the notion of Krüger, who thinks [Greek: euepitheton] used absolutely, or as a substantive. Some, however, understand [Greek: to plaision], or [Greek: to strateuma], which is perhaps better.]
[Footnote 159: [Greek: Enômotarchas].] The [Greek: enômotia] being the fourth part of a [Greek: lochos], or twenty-five men. See Xen. De Rep. Lac. ii. 4; Arnold's Thucyd. v. 68.]
[Footnote 160: As there were six companies of a hundred men each, they moved into the vacant space, if it was but narrow, by centuries, that is, six men in front, and a hundred deep; if it was somewhat broader, by fifties, that is, twelve men in front, and fifty deep; if very broad, by twenty-fives, that is, twenty-four men in front, and twenty-five deep. Kühner.]
[Footnote 161: [Greek: En tô merei].] Each in his place; one after another in the order which had been previously appointed.]
[Footnote 162: [Greek: Ên hê kômê].] Schneider, Bornemann, and most editors before Dindorf, read [Greek: kômê], a village, without the article. Dindorf has added the article from two manuscripts, and Kühner has followed him, supposing that the particular village of which the Greeks had now caught sight is meant. Bornemann, if the article be added, thinks that the village in which the palace stood is intended. The passage seems to me decidedly better without the article; for, if it be inserted, the reader is puzzled to know why Xenophon changes the number, when he had just before said that the palace stood in the midst of villages.]
[Footnote 163: According to the discipline of the Persians; see Herod, vii. 21, 56, 223.]
[Footnote 164: This is the first mention of surgeons in the Greek army, as Mr. Stanford observes, since the time of Homer. But whether the persons here mentioned were professed surgeons, or merely some of the soldiers, who, in long service, had gained experience in the treatment of wounds, is uncertain. The latter supposition is more in consonance with the word appointed.]
[Footnote 165: [Greek: Poly gar diepheron --hormôntes -- poreuomenoi].] The manuscripts present some variations here. Bornemann's text is the same as Dindorf's. Kühner prefers [Greek: diepheren -- hormôntas --poreuomenous], expressing a doubt whether the other method be really Greek.]
[Footnote 166: [Greek: Dei --Persê andri].] Most commentators concur in taking this as an example of the rarer construction of [Greek: dei] with the dative; though it has been suggested whether [Greek: Persê andri] may be the dative after [Greek: episaxai], as if a Persian horse-soldier had an attendant to equip his horse for him.]
[Footnote 167: [Greek: Episaxai].] Spelman quarrels with D'Ablancourt for translating this word by "saddle," and adopts in his own version "housings," which I have borrowed from him, from inability to find a better word.]
[Footnote 168: [Greek: To stratopedon].] Apparently for the place where they intended to encamp. It seems needless to understand, with Krüger, "castra interea à lixis et calonibus posita."]
[Footnote 169: [Greek: Anazeuxantes].] [Greek: Anazeuxai], castra movere. Zeune.]
[Footnote 170: The enemy had not occupied the highest part of the mountain, but a lower position upon it. Comp. sect. 37. Kühner.]
CHAPTER V.
The Greeks arrive at a point where the Carduchian mountains
overhang the river, and, as they are still harassed by the enemy,
the generals hold a consultation, and determine to march across the
mountains.
1. The Barbarians, in consequence, turned their backs and fled every one as he could, and the Greeks took possession of the top of the hill. Tissaphernes and Ariæus turned aside, and went off in another direction. Cheirisophus and his forces, going down into the plain, encamped in a village abounding with acceptable supplies; and there were also in this plain many other villages stored with excellent provisions, lying along the river Tigris. 2. When it was evening, the enemy suddenly showed themselves in the plain, and cut off some of the Greeks who were dispersed over the ground foraging; for several herds of cattle had been intercepted as they were being transported to the other side of the river. 3. Here Tissaphernes and his party attempted to set fire to the villages, and some of the Greeks were much disheartened, being apprehensive that, if they should burn them, they would have no place whence to procure supplies.
4. Cheirisophus and his men now returned from giving succour;[171] and Xenophon, when he came down, riding past the ranks, as the Greeks, coming in from affording aid, met him, said, 5. "You see, Greeks, that the enemy admit that the country is now ours, for whereas they stipulated, when they made the truce, that we should not burn the king's country, they now burn it themselves, as being no longer theirs. But wherever they leave supplies for themselves, thither also they shall see us direct our march. 6. I think, however, Cheirisophus," continued he, "that we ought to resist these burners, as if in defence of our own territory." "I," replied Cheirisophus, "am of a different opinion; rather let us burn also," said he, "and thus they will the sooner cease."
7. When they returned to their quarters,[172] the soldiers busied themselves about their provisions, but the generals and captains held a council. There was now much perplexity; for on one side of them were exceeding high mountains, and on the other a river of such depth, that, when they sounded it, their spears did not rise above the water. 8. While they were in doubt how to act, a Rhodian came to them, and said, "I am willing to convey you across, O Greeks, by four thousand heavy-armed men at a time, if you will furnish me with what I require for the purpose, and give me a talent as a remuneration." 9. Being asked what he should require, he replied, "I shall want two thousand hides made into bags; and I see here many sheep, goats, oxen, and asses, the hides of which, being blown out,[173] would easily furnish the means of crossing. 10. I shall want also the ropes which you use for the baggage-cattle; joining, with these, the bags to one another, steadying each bag by attaching stones to it, letting the stones down like anchors into the water, extending the bags across the stream, and securing them to both banks, I will then lay wood upon them, and strew earth over the wood. 11. That you will not sink, you will at once see; for each skin will prevent two men from sinking, and the wood and earth will keep them from slipping off." 12. The generals, on hearing this proposal, thought the invention ingenious, but the execution of it impossible, for there were numerous cavalry on the other side to hinder their passage, who, at the commencement, would not have allowed the first that made the attempt to effect their purposes.