(1) When one of the powerful men in Gadatas’ cavalry saw that he had revolted from the Assyrian, he believed that he himself would receive from the Assyrian all that belonged to Gadatas, if the latter should suffer some mishap. So he sent to the Assyrian one of his trusted troops. He bade him—if he overtook the Assyrian army already in Gadatas’ land—to tell the Assyrian that if he wished to lay an ambush, he would capture Gadatas and his followers. (2) He commanded him to make plain both the limited extent of Gadatas’ power and that Cyrus was not accompanying him. He also showed him the road on which [Gadatas] was going to arrive. In order to be trusted further, he also commanded the members of his own household to surrender to the Assyrian the fortress, along with what was in it, which he himself happened to have in Gadatas’ territory. He declared that he himself would come there, if he were able, only after he killed Gadatas, and that if he could not, he would at least be on the Assyrian’s side in the future. (3) So the one assigned to this mission rode as swiftly as possible, reached the Assyrian, and made plain why he had come. After [the Assyrian] heard it, he took the fortress right away, and with a large number of cavalry and chariots he prepared an ambush in a group of villages.
(4) When Gadatas was near these villages, he sent some troops forward to investigate. When the Assyrian knew that the scouts were approaching, he ordered two or three chariots and some cavalry to rise up and take flight, as if they were frightened and few in number. When the scouts saw this, they went in pursuit themselves and also signaled to Gadatas, and he, since he was deceived, pursued with all his might. When it seemed that Gadatas was all but captured, the Assyrians rose up from their ambush. (5) When Gadatas and his followers saw them, as one would expect, they fled, and those on the other side, as one would expect, pursued them. Then he who had plotted against Gadatas struck him. Although he missed a vital spot, he did strike him on the shoulder and wounded him. Having done this, he took off and joined with the others in pursuit. When it was known who he was, he pressed his horse eagerly alongside the Assyrians and rode in pursuit along with the king. (6) At this point, clearly, those with the slowest horses were captured by the fastest. Already having been very hard pressed from the rigors of their march homeward, Gadatas’ cavalry saw Cyrus approaching with his army. One must suppose that they went up to them with delight, as to a harbor out of a storm.
(7) Cyrus was at first amazed. But when he recognized what was happening,28 he himself continued—even as the enemy were all riding forward in opposition—to lead his army in good order, opposed to the enemy. When the enemy recognized how things were,29 they turned to flight. To those troops who had been put in order just for this, Cyrus gave the command to pursue, while he himself followed with the rest of the army in the way he thought advantageous. (8) Now chariots were captured, some whose drivers had fallen out (some from turning over and others fell out in other ways) and also others that had been cut off by the cavalry. They killed the one who had struck Gadatas and many others. (9) As for the Assyrian infantry, which happened to have been besieging Gadatas’ fortress, some took refuge in the fortress, which had revolted from Gadatas, others got away to a large city of the Assyrian, where even the Assyrian himself took refuge with his cavalry and chariots.
(10) Having accomplished these things, Cyrus retreated into Gadatas’ territory. After having arranged for those who ought to attend to the spoils to do so, he went right away to see how Gadatas was as a result of his wound. With his wound already bandaged, Gadatas went to meet him as he approached. Cyrus was pleased upon seeing him and said, “I was coming to you to see how you are.”
(11) “But I, by the gods,” said Gadatas, “was coming in order to contemplate you again, how you appear in sight, you who have such a soul. You need from me now I know not what, nor did you promise me that you would do these things, nor have you experienced at my hands anything good, at least for yourself personally. But because I seemed to you to benefit your friends a bit,30 you helped me so enthusiastically that—although on my own I would be done for—I have been saved, thanks to you. (12) By the gods, Cyrus, if I were now as I naturally was from the beginning and if I had begotten children, I do not know whether I would have secured for myself a child such as you, for I know both other children and this present king of the Assyrians, who brought much more pain to his own father than he is now able to bring to you.”
(13) To this Cyrus responded as follows: “Gadatas, you omit a much greater wonder in mentioning your wonder at me.”
“And what is this?” asked Gadatas.
“That so many Persians are so earnestly concerned about you,” he said, “and so many Medes, so many Hyrcanians, and all the Armenians, Sacians, and Cadusians who are present.”
(14) And Gadatas prayed, “Zeus, may all the gods give many blessings to these people, and the most to the cause of their being the way they are. However, so that we may entertain nobly these whom you praise, Cyrus, accept these gifts of hospitality; they are such as I am able to give.” At the same time he brought out a vast abundance of things. Consequently, whoever wished to offer sacrifice could do so, and the whole army was entertained in a manner worthy of their noble deeds and noble success.
(15) The Cadusian [leader] was guarding the rear and did not share in the pursuit. Wishing to do something splendid himself, he plundered the land toward Babylon without having made common plans with Cyrus or having said anything to him. Now the Assyrian was returning from the city in which he had taken refuge, and he happened to have his own army in very close order, while the cavalry of the other was spread out. (16) When he realized that the Cadusians were alone, he attacked them, and he killed both their ruler and many others. He took some of the Cadusians’ horses and took away whatever booty they happened to be leading off. The Assyrian pursued as far as he thought to be safe and then turned back. The first Cadusians got safely to the camp toward evening.
(17) When Cyrus perceived what had happened, he went to meet the Cadusians. Whenever he saw anyone who had been wounded, he received him, and sent him to Gadatas to be cared for. He also helped others into tents and took care that they had the provisions they needed. He took along some of the Persian Peers to help in giving care, for in such circumstances, the good are willing to persevere in their labor. (18) It seemed that he was severely distressed indeed, since when it was time and the others were having dinner, Cyrus—still with the doctors and their servants—was not willing to leave anyone without care: He either watched over them with his own eyes or, if he could not manage this, was conspicuous in sending others who would care for them.
(19) So thus they went to bed that night. But as soon as it was day, he had heralds call together the rulers of the others, but all of the Cadusians. He spoke as follows: “Men, allies, what has happened is human, for I do not think it is at all amazing that human beings make mistakes. It is worth our while, however, to enjoy something good from what has happened, namely, to learn never to separate from the whole a force weaker than the force of our enemies. (20) I am not saying that it is never necessary to go out with a part that is even smaller, where there really is need, than that with which the Cadusian now departed. But consider the case when someone sets out only after making common plans with someone else who is competent to bring help. It is still possible that he be deceived, but it is also then possible that [his ally], who has stayed behind, may deceive the enemy and draw them aside from the advance force, and it is also possible to provide safety to friends by distracting enemies with other problems. In this way, not even he who is apart is fully absent, for he remains attached to the main strength. Yet whoever goes away without having made common plans, wherever he may be, is in the same condition as he who makes war alone. (21) In return for what has happened, if god is willing, we will before long punish our enemies. As soon as you have had your breakfast, I will lead you where the event occurred. We will at once bury the dead and show our enemies that on the very spot where they believe they conquered, others are stronger than they, if god is willing. If they do not come out in opposition, we will bum their villages and ravage their land, in order that they not take delight in seeing what they did to us, but to the contrary feel pain in gazing on their own evils. We will see to it that it is no pleasure for them to see the land where they killed our allies. (22) The rest of you, therefore, go and have breakfast. But you, Cadusians, first go and in your customary way choose yourselves a ruler who, with the gods’ [help] and ours, if you are in need, will take care of you. When you have made your choice and have had your breakfast, send me the one chosen.”
(23) They then did as he said. When he led out the army, Cyrus put the Cadusians’ newly chosen [leader] in position and bade him keep his company close by, “in order,” he said, “that we may restore the confidence of the men, if we are able.” So they marched like this. And when they arrived, they buried the Cadusians, and ravaged the land. After so doing, they went back again into Gadatas’ land with provisions taken from that of the enemy.
(24) [Cyrus] realized that those who had revolted to his side but lived near Babylon would suffer severely unless he himself were always present. He thus ordered the enemy troops he released to tell the Assyrian that he was ready to allow those who worked the earth to do so and not to harm them, if [the king] also were willing to allow the workers who had revolted to [Cyrus] to do likewise. [Cyrus] himself also sent a herald to him to say the same things.31 (25) “And yet,” he said, “if indeed you are able to hinder [workers in the land I control], you will hinder but a few, for the land of those who have revolted to me is only a little, but I would allow a lot of land to be worked for you. As for the gathering of the crops, I suppose that if there is war, the victor will do it; if peace, clearly, you will. If, however, any of mine take up weapons against you, or any of yours against me, each of us will punish them as we are able.”
(26) After so directing the herald, he sent him off. When the Assyrians heard the proposals, they did everything to persuade the king to consent to them and to limit the war as much as possible. (27) And whether he was persuaded by those of his own tribe or whether he himself also wished that it be so, the Assyrian gave his approval. Thus there arose compacts that there be peace for those working, but war for those in arms.
(28) So Cyrus accomplished these things concerning the workers. As for the grazing of the flocks, however, he bade his friends do it in security, if they wished, on land under their own control. As for plunder from their enemies, they brought it in from wherever they were able, in order that the campaign might be more pleasant for the allies, for the risks were the same even without taking these provisions, and feeding off the enemies seemed to lighten the burdens of the campaign.
(29) Just when Cyrus was preparing to go away, Gadatas arrived bringing and leading in many and varied gifts, such as one would expect from a great estate, and he also led in many horses that he had taken away from those of his own knights he distrusted because of the plot. (30) When he came near, he said such things as follow: “Cyrus, I give you these things now so that you may use them if, in the present situation, you have any need of them at all, but believe that all my other things are also yours, for neither is there nor shall there ever be a natural descendant of my own to whom I may leave my estate. But our entire line and name must of necessity be extinguished with my death. (31) And I swear to you, Cyrus, by the gods who both see all and hear all, that I have so suffered even though I have neither said nor done anything unjust or shameful.” And as he said this he broke into tears at his fortune and was no longer able to speak.
(32) And on hearing this, Cyrus did pity him for what he had suffered, but he spoke as follows: “I accept the horses, for I will benefit you by giving them to troops better disposed toward you than were those troops of yours who just had them, as it seems, and for my part, I will more quickly increase the Persian cavalry up to ten thousand knights, something I have long desired to do. As for the other valuables, take them away and guard them until you see me having enough that I not be outdone in reciprocating with gifts to you. If you go away after giving to me more than you receive from me, by the gods I do not know how I could possibly avoid being ashamed.”
(33) To this Gadatas said, “I certainly trust you in this, for I see your character. However, see whether I am fit to guard them. (34) As long as we were friends with the Assyrian, my father’s property seemed the finest, for in being near the greatest city, Babylon, we used to enjoy as many benefits as are possible from a great city. As for the burdens, we avoided them by coming back to our home here. Yet now, since we are enemies, it is clear that when you leave, we ourselves and our whole estate will be the target of plots, and I think we will pass our lives in pain, having our enemies nearby and seeing that they are stronger than we are. (35) Now perhaps someone might say, ‘Why, then, did you not consider this before you revolted?’ Because of suffering insolence and being angry, Cyrus, my soul did not lead by considering what was safest but was always pregnant with this [thought]: Will it ever be possible to take vengeance on him who is hateful to both gods and human beings, who passes his time in hatred not when someone does him an injustice but if he suspects that someone else is better than he is? (36) Therefore, I think, being worthless himself, he makes use of allies who are all even more worthless than he is. If, then, any one of them should come to light as better than he, be confident, Cyrus, that there will be no need for you to do battle with this good man, for the [Assyrian] will be sufficient for this, always contriving until he captures the one who is better than he is. As for causing me pain, however, I think he will easily be strong enough even with worthless allies.”
(37) On hearing this, Cyrus thought that what was said deserved attention. He said directly, “Why do we not make your fortifications strong with guards, that they may be safe for you to use in security whenever you enter them, and why do you not campaign with us in order that if the gods are with us, as they just were, he may fear you and not you him? Bring whatsoever of yours is pleasant for you to see or with whom you enjoy associating, and march! At least as it seems to me, you would be very useful to me, and I will try to be so to you as far as I am able.”
(38) On hearing this Gadatas breathed anew and said, “If I pack up, would I be able to be ready before you depart? I wish to bring my mother with me too.”
“Yes, by Zeus,” he said, “you will surely be ready, for I will wait until you say it is fine to go.”
(39) Thus Gadatas went away, and with Cyrus’ help he strengthened his fortifications with guards. He packed up all the things with which a large estate is nobly supplied. He led his own troops, both the trusted ones in whom he took pleasure and many he did not trust, compelling some to bring their wives and others their sisters, that he might control them when they were bound by these ties. (40) Cyrus promptly got started, keeping also Gadatas in his circle, as an adviser about roads, water, fodder, and food, that they might camp in the places with the greatest abundance.
(41) When in his march he saw the city of the Babylonians, and the road that he was taking seemed to him to run right beside the wall itself, he summoned Gobryas and Gadatas and asked whether there was any other road that did not lead so near to the wall. (42) And Gobryas said, “There are indeed many roads, master. But I thought you would wish to march now as near as possible to the city so you could show him that your army is already large and noble. Even when you had a smaller one, you went right up to the wall itself, and he gazed on us when we were not numerous. Now even if he is somewhat prepared (and he said to you that he would be making preparations to do battle with you), I know that when he sees your power, his own will again seem most unprepared.”
(43) And Cyrus said to this, “You seem to me, Gobryas, to be amazed that when I came with a lesser army I marched up to the wall itself, but now, when I have a greater power, I am not willing to march under the walls themselves. (44) But do not be amazed, for to march up to and to march by are not the same: All march up in the order they think best for fighting, and those who are moderate retreat in the safest way, not in the quickest way. (45) But one must of necessity march by with the wagons extended and the rest of the baggage train kept back in a long narrow file. Yet all these things need to be covered by armed troops, and the baggage train must not appear to the enemy to be anywhere bare of weapons. (46) The fighting part of those who march like this must of necessity be in a thin and weak order. So if they wished to attack in a mass from the wall, at whatever point they engaged at close quarters, they would be much stronger than those who were marching by. (47) Moreover, for those who march in a long line, help is a long way off, while for those who charge out from a wall against others nearby, there is but a short way both to charge out and to retreat again. (48) If we march by their walls while staying at least as far from them as is the distance over which we now extend in our march, they will see our multitude, and behind weapons that frame a formation, every mob seems terrible. (49) So if even in this case they come out and attack, we would see them from far away and so would not be taken unprepared. But rather, men, they will not even try it, when it is necessary for them to go out far from the wall, unless they suppose that they are stronger with their whole [force] than we with ours, for retreat would be fearful.”
(50) When he said this, he seemed to those present to speak correctly, and Gobryas led just as he had ordered. As the army passed by the city, he always, as he moved away, increased the strength of the part in the rear.
(51) After marching like this on the following days, he arrived at the borderlands of the Syrians and Medes, from which he had set out. There being here three forts of the Syrians, he himself took the weakest one by attacking it with violence. As for the other two, Cyrus by terror and Gadatas by persuasion induced their guards to surrender.