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tents and encamp with him; winter and summer alike。 '3' From the first
the Cyrus made it a custom to have his tent pitched facing east; and
later on he fixed the space to be left between himself and his
lancers; and then he stationed his bakers on the right and his cooks
on the left; the cavalry on the right again; and the baggage…train on
the left。 Everything else was so arranged that each man knew his own
quarters; their position and their size。 '4' When the army was packing
up after a halt; each man put together the baggage he used himself;
and others placed it on the animals: so that at one and the same
moment all his bearers came to the baggage…train and each man laid his
load on his own beasts。 Thus all the tents could be struck in the same
time as one。 '5' And it was the same when the baggage had to be
unpacked。 Again; in order that the necessaries should be prepared in
time; each man was told beforehand what he had to do: and thus all the
divisions could be provided for as speedily as one。 '6' And; just as
the serving…men had their appointed places; so the different regiments
had their own stations; adapted to their special style of fighting;
and each detachment knew their quarters and went to them without
hesitation。 '7' Even in a private house; orderliness; Cyrus knew; was
a most excellent thing: every one; if he needed anything; would then
know where to get it; but he held it still more desirable for the
arrangement of an army; seeing that the moment for action passes far
more quickly in war and the evil from being too late is far more
grave。 Therefore he gave more thought and care to order and
arrangement than to anything else。
'8' His own position; to begin with; must be at the centre of the
camp; as this was the safest place; and next to him must come his most
faithful followers; as their habit was。 Beyond these; in a ring; lay
the cavalry and the charioteers。 '9' For Cyrus held to it that these
troops also needed a safe position: their equipment could not be kept
at hand for them; and if they were to be of any use at all they needed
considerable time for arming。 '10' The targeteers were placed to left
and right of the cavalry; and the bowmen in front and rear。 '11'
Finally; the heavy…armed troops and those who carried the huge shields
surrounded the whole encampment like a wall; so that in case of need;
if the cavalry had to mount; the steadiest troops would stand firm in
front and let them arm in safety。 '12' He insisted that the targeteers
and archers should; like the soldiers of the line; sleep at their
posts; in case of alarm at night; and be ready at any moment; while
the infantry dealt with the assailant at close quarters; to hurl darts
and javelins at them over the others' heads。 '13' Moreover; all the
generals had standards on their tents; and just as an intelligent
serving…man in a city will know most of the houses; at any rate of the
most important people; so the squires of Cyrus knew the ways of the
camp and the quarters of the generals and the standards of each。 Thus;
if Cyrus needed any one they had not to search and seek; but could run
by the shortest road and summon him at once。 '14' Owing to this clear
arrangement; it was easy to see where good discipline was kept and
where duty was neglected。 With these dispositions Cyrus felt that if
an attack should be made; by night or day; the enemy would find not so
much a camp as an ambuscade。 '15' Nor was it enough; he considered;
for a real master of tactics to know how to extend his front without
confusion; or deepen his ranks; or get from column into line; or wheel
round quickly when the enemy appeared on the right or the left or in
the rear: the true tactician must also be able to break up his troops
into small bodies; whenever necessary; and place each division exactly
where it would be of the greatest use; he must know how to quicken
speed when it was essential to forestall the enemy; these and a
hundred other operations are part of his science; and Cyrus studied
them all with equal care。 '16' On the march he varied the order
constantly to suit the needs of the moment; but for the camp; as a
rule; he adopted the plan we have described。
'17' And now when the march had brought them into Media; Cyrus turned
aside to visit Cyaxares。 After they had met and embraced; Cyrus began
by telling Cyaxares that a palace in Babylon; and an estate; had been
set aside for him so that he might have a residence of his own
whenever he came there; and he offered him other gifts; most rich and
beautiful。 '18' And Cyaxares was glad to take them from his nephew;
and then he sent for his daughter; and she came; carrying a golden
crown; and bracelets; and a necklace of wrought gold; and a most
beautiful Median robe; as splendid as could be。 '19' The maiden placed
the crown upon the head of Cyrus; and as she did so Cyaxares said:
〃I will give her to you; Cyrus; my own daughter; to be your wife。 Your
father wedded the daughter of my father; and you are their son; and
this is the little maid whom you carried in your arms when you were
with us as a lad; and whenever she was asked whom she meant to marry;
she would always answer 'Cyrus。' And for her dowry I will give her the
whole of Media: since I have no lawful son。〃
'20' So he spoke; and Cyrus answered:
〃Cyaxares; I can but thank you myself for all you offer me; the
kinship and the maiden and the gifts; but I must lay the matter before
my father and my mother before I accept; and then we will thank you
together。〃
That was what Cyrus said; but none the less he gave the maiden the
gifts he thought would please her father。 And when he had done so; he
marched on home to Persia。
'21' And when he reached the borders of his fatherland; he left the
mass of his troops on the frontier; and went forward alone with his
friends to the city; leading victims enough for all the Persians to
sacrifice and hold high festival。 And he brought special gifts for his
father and his mother and his friends of old; and for the high
officers of state; the elders; and all the Persian Peers; and he gave
every Persian man and every Persian woman such bounties as the king
confers to…day whenever he visits Persia。 '22' After this Cambyses
gathered together the elders of the land and the chief officers; who
have authority in the highest matters; and spoke as follows:
〃Men of Persia; and Cyrus; my son; both of you are dear to me and must
needs be dear; I am the king of my people and the father of my son;
therefore I am bound to lay before you openly all that I believe to be
for the good of both。 '23' In the past the nation has done great
things for Cyrus by giving him an army and appointing him the leader;
and Cyrus; God helping him; has made my Persians famous in all the
world by his leadership; and crowned you with glory in Asia。 Of those
who served with him he has made the bravest wealthy for life; and
given sustenance and full pay to numbers。 By founding the cavalry he
has won the plains for Persia。 '24' If your hearts are still the same
in future; all of you will bless each other: but if you; my son; would
be puffed up by your present fort