(1) So they spent the day like this, and after dinner they went to rest. All the allies arrived early on the next day at Cyaxares’ door. For as long as Cyaxares continued to adorn himself, he could hear that there was a great mob at his door. During this same time some of Cyrus’ friends presented Cadusians who begged him to remain, others Hyrcanians, another Sacians, and another Gobryas as well. Hystaspas led in Gadatas the eunuch, who also begged Cyrus to remain. (2) Here, then, knowing that Gadatas had long ago all but perished in fear that the army would be disbanded, Cyrus laughed and said, “Gadatas, it is clear that you express this judgment just because you have been persuaded by Hystaspas to do so.”
(3) And Gadatas stretched his hands toward heaven and swore an oath that it was not because he had been persuaded by Hystaspas that he judged things as he did. “But I know,” he said, “that if you all go away, it is all over for me. This is why I approached him, on my own, and asked whether he knew what you had in mind to do about the disbanding of the army.”
(4) And Cyrus said, “Then I am unjustly blaming Hystaspas.”
“Unjustly indeed, by Zeus, Cyrus,” said Hystaspas, “since I only said to Gadatas here that it was impossible for you to keep on campaigning; I told him that your father sent for you.”
(5) And Cyrus said, “What are you saying? Did you dare to bring this up also, whether I wished it or not?”
“Yes, by Zeus,” he said, “for I see you are a bit too desirous of being looked on admiringly as you circulate among the Persians and of showing your father how you have accomplished each particular.”
Cyrus said, “Do you not desire to go back home?”
“No, by Zeus,” said Hystaspas, “nor will I be going back. I will be general and stay until I make Gadatas here the master of the Assyrian.”
(6) So they said such things joking with each other, yet in earnest. At this point Cyaxares came out augustly adorned and sat down on the Median throne. When all who needed to had assembled and silence prevailed, Cyaxares spoke as follows: “Men, allies, since I happen to be present and am older than Cyrus, perhaps it is proper that I begin the discussion. It now seems to me to be opportune to converse first about whether it seems to be opportune to continue with this campaign or to disband the army now. So let anyone state his judgment about this very issue.”
(7) After this, first the Hyrcanian said, “Men, allies, I do not know whether speeches are at all needed where deeds themselves show what is superior, for we all know that when we stay together we do the enemy more evil than we suffer. Yet when we were apart from each other, they treated us in the way that was most pleasant for themselves, but for us was surely most severe.”
(8) Next the Cadusian said, “What should we say about being separated, each going back home, when, as it seems, it is not advantageous even for men on campaign to be separated? At least when we went on campaign apart from your multitude, and not even for long, we paid the price, as you also know.”
(9) Next Artabazus, the one who once said that he was a relative of Cyrus,1 said such things as follow: “Cyaxares, I differ with the first speakers to this extent: They say that it is still necessary to stay and campaign, but I say that when I was at home, I used to be on campaign. (10) There, I often had to go to the rescue when our things were led off, and I was often bothered with fear and worry about our forts, which were ever the objects of plots. Further, I had to do all this at my own expense. Now I possess their forts, and I fear them not: I feast on their things and drink what belongs to the enemy. Since what is at home is a campaign, but this is a holiday, I do not think we should disband this festive gathering.”
(11) Next Gobryas said, “Men, allies, I praise Cyrus’ fidelity up to this point, for he has not been false in what he promised.2 But if he leaves the country, it is clear that the Assyrian will be refreshed, even though he has not paid retribution for the injustices he tried to do to you and did do to me. I, for my part, will pay to him the price of having become your friend.”
(12) After all these Cyrus said, “Men, it does not escape me that if we disband the army, our situation would become weaker, and that of the enemy would wax again. As many as have had their weapons taken away will swiftly again have others made. As many as have been deprived of their horses will swiftly again acquire others. In place of those who have been killed, others will reach their prime and others will be born. It would consequently not be amazing if they should very quickly be able to bother us again.
(13) “Why then did I bid Cyaxares introduce a discussion about dissolving the army? Be well assured that it was because I fear the future, for I see advancing upon us rivals against whom, if we will cam-’ paign like this, we will not be able to fight. (14) Winter is certainly approaching, and even if there are shelters for ourselves, then, by Zeus, there are not for the horses, the attendants, or the bulk of the soldiers, and without all these things, we would not be able to campaign.3 As for provisions, we have exhausted them wherever we have gone. Wherever we have not gone, they, because they fear us, have carried them up into their forts so that they may have them themselves and we not be able to take them. (15) Who, then, is so good or so strong that he would be able to campaign while also fighting hunger and cold? Now if we are going to campaign like this, I say we ought to disband the army voluntarily rather than be driven out involuntarily by our lack of means. But if we wish to keep campaigning, I say we ought to do this, to try as quickly as possible to take from them as many secure places as possible and to construct as many secure places as possible for ourselves. If this happens, whichever side is able to take and lay up more will have more provisions, and whichever side is stronger will be besieged.4 (16) We do not differ now from those who sail the sea, for they sail constantly, yet they leave what has been sailed over no more their own than what has not been sailed over. If we have forts, these will deprive our enemies of the land, and everything will go more smoothly for us.
(17) “Some of you might perhaps fear that you will need to stand guard far from your own country. Do not balk at this. Since we are far from home even as it is, we will take it upon ourselves to guard the posts nearest to our enemies; you possess and cultivate the parts of Assyria that are on your borders. (18) If by standing guard we are able to keep safe the places that are near to them, you who possess those that are farther from them will live in great peace, since I do not think they will be able to neglect those who are near to themselves and plot against you who are far away.”
(19) After this was said, all the rest stood up and said that they were enthusiastic to join in promoting these measures, and Cyaxares did so also. Gadatas and Gobryas each said that they would build a fort, if the allies consented, so that these too would be friendly to the allies. (20) Now when Cyrus saw that all were enthusiastic to do everything he said, he said in conclusion, “If we wish to carry out as much as we say we ought to do, it would be necessary to procure as quickly as possible siege engines for taking down the enemies’ forts, and builders for raising up fortresses for ourselves.”
(21) After this Cyaxares promised that he would himself make and provide a siege engine, as did Gobryas and Gadatas, and Tigranes as well. Cyrus himself said that he would try to make two. (22) After these things were decided, they began bringing in engine makers, and each furnished what was needed for the engines. They appointed men who seemed to be most suited to be involved in these matters.
(23) Since Cyrus realized that these things would take time, he sat the army down where he thought it was healthiest and of easiest access for whatever needed to be brought in. He attended to whatever points were in need of secure fortification, so that, if ever he camped farther off with his main strength, whoever stayed back would remain in safety. (24) In addition, of those he thought would know most about the land, he asked from which places the army would be benefited as much as possible, and he constantly led out foraging parties. He did this that he might take as many provisions as possible for the army, that they might become healthier and stronger from laboring on their marches, and that they might remember their positions on expeditions. (25) So Cyrus was involved in these matters.
The deserters and captives from Babylon were saying the same thing, that the Assyrian had departed for Lydia, taking many talents of gold and silver, and other possessions and all sorts of jewelry. (26) Now the mob of the soldiers said that he had already gone off in fear to secure his valuables. Yet Cyrus knew that he had departed in order, if it should be at all possible, to put together a [force] to rival his own, so he vigorously made counter preparations in the belief that fighting would still be necessary. He consequently filled out the Persian cavalry, taking some horses from captives and some others from friends, for these he accepted from all, and he never refused if someone gave him a beautiful weapon or a horse. (27) He also prepared chariots both from the chariots of captives and from anywhere else he was able. He abolished the Trojans’ way of using chariots, which existed before, and the Cyrenaeans’ way, which exists even now, and previously those in Media, Syria, Arabia, and all those in Asia used their chariots just as the Cyrenaeans do now. (28) It seemed to him that what was probably the superior part of the power, since the best troops were on the chariots, formed a part of those who only skirmished at long range and contributed no great weight to conquering, for three hundred chariots take three hundred fighters, and these use twelve hundred horses. Their drivers, as was to be expected, are these whom they especially trust, the best.5 So this is another three hundred who harm the enemy in no way whatsoever. (29) So he did away with this way of using chariots. In its place he provided war chariots, chariots with strong wheels so that they do not shatter easily, and with long axles, for everything broad is less often overturned. The box for the drivers he made like a turret out of strong timbers. Its height reached to their elbows, so that the horses could be guided from above the box. He clad the drivers in armor all over, all except for their eyes. (30) He also attached iron scythes of about three cubits to the axles on both sides of the wheels, and others that looked downward from the chariot box toward the earth, in order that the chariots might thrust directly into the midst of their opponents.6 Those in the land of the king even now make use of their chariots in the way that Cyrus then equipped them.7 He also had many camels, of which some were collected from friends and others were captured, and they were all collected together. (31) So this is how these things were concluded.
[Cyrus] wished to send someone as a scout to Lydia to learn what the Assyrian was doing, and Araspas, the one who was watching over the beautiful woman, seemed to him to be suited for this. Things had turned out in the following way for Araspas: Having been seized by love for the woman, he was compelled to address her with proposals of a union. (32) She denied him, however, and was faithful to her husband even though he was absent, for she loved him intensely.8 She did not accuse Araspas to Cyrus, however, for she was hesitant to set at odds these men who were friends. (33) Thinking that it would help him to get what he wished, Araspas then threatened that if the woman did not wish to voluntarily, she would do so involuntarily. Because she now feared his violence, the woman no longer hid it, but she sent her eunuch to Cyrus and bade him tell all. (34) When he heard, he laughed at the one who had professed to be stronger than love. He sent Artabazus back with the woman’s eunuch and bade him to tell him not to use violence with such a woman, but he said that if he were able to persuade her, he would not prevent it. (35) Artabazus went to Araspas and reviled him, calling the woman a sacred trust and telling him of his impiety, injustice, and incontinence.9 Araspas consequently cried many painful tears, was downcast with shame, and had all but perished from the fear that he would suffer at Cyrus’ hands.
(36) Now when Cyrus learned this he summoned him and spoke with him in private. “I see, Araspas,” he said, “that you are afraid of me and are terribly ashamed: Cease being so. I hear that gods are overcome by love, and I know that human beings, even those seeming to be very prudent, have suffered similarly from love. It was I myself who knew that I would not be able to be so steadfast as to neglect the beautiful when in their company. And I am the cause of this problem for you, for I shut you up with this unconquerable problem.”
(37) And Araspas interrupted and said, “But you, Cyrus, are similar in this matter as also in others, gentle and forgiving of human failings. Other human beings make me sink with grief. Since the rumor of my misfortune has circulated, my enemies take pleasure at my expense, and my friends come and advise me to get myself out of here, so that I not suffer at your hands, for they hold that I have been very unjust.”
(38) And Cyrus said, “Then be well assured, Araspas, that with this reputation you are able to gratify me greatly and to bestow great benefits on our allies.”
“Would that some occasion might arise,” said Araspas, “in which I might again be useful to you in an opportune moment!”
(39) “Then if you pretended to run away from me and were willing to go over to our enemies, I think you would be trusted by our enemies.”
“I do too, by Zeus,” said Araspas, “and also by our friends, for I know I could spread the word that I had fled from you.”
(40) “Then you could come back to us,” he said, “when you know all the enemies’ affairs. They would even make you a partner in their conversations and deliberations, I think, since they would trust you, so that not even one iota of what we wish to know would escape your notice.”
“Consider me as already on the move this instant,” he said, “for perhaps it will help bring trust if I seem to have fled when on the brink of suffering at your hands.”
(41) “And will you be able to leave the beautiful Panthea?” he said.
“Yes,” he said, “for I clearly have two souls. I have now concluded this while philosophizing with the unjust sophist, Love. If indeed the soul is one, it is not at the same time both good and bad, nor does it love both noble and shameful deeds at the same time and at the same time both wish and not wish to do the same things. But it is clear that there are two souls, and whenever the good one conquers, it does what is noble, but whenever the vile one, it undertakes what is shameful. Now, since it took you as an ally, the good soul conquers, and very much so.”
(42) “If, then, you have decided to go,” said Cyrus, “you must do so as follows, in order that you may be trusted more also by them. Report our affairs to them, and report them in such a way that what you say would especially be a hindrance to what they wish to do. They would be a hindrance if you should say that we are preparing to invade somewhere in their country, for hearing this, with each one afraid about what he has at home, they would to a lesser degree assemble with all their strength. (43) Stay with them as long as possible, for it will be especially opportune for us to know what they are doing when they are nearest to us. Advise them to order themselves in whatever way may seem to be superior. They will hesitate to change their order, and even if they do change it on the spur of the moment, they will become confused.”
(44) Thus Araspas went out, and taking along his most trusted attendants and saying to some what he thought advantageous for the affair,’ he departed.
(45) When Panthea perceived that Araspas was departing, she sent to Cyrus and said, “Feel no pain, Cyrus, over Araspas’ departure for the enemy, for if you allow me to send to my husband, I promise you that a friend much more trustworthy than Araspas will arrive. As for power, I know that he will report to you with as much of it as he is able to bring. The father of him who is now king was his friend, but this present king once even undertook to separate my husband and me from each other. So since he believes him to be insolent, be well assured that he would gladly escape to a man such as you are.”
(46) When Cyrus heard this, he bade her send to her husband, and she did so. When Abradatas recognized the tokens from his wife and perceived how things stood, he gladly marched to Cyrus with about a thousand horse. When he reached the Persian lookouts, he sent to Cyrus saying who he was. Cyrus ordered that they lead him directly to his wife.
(47) When the woman and Abradatas saw each other, they embraced, as was to be expected after so hopeless a period. After this, Panthea spoke of Cyrus, of his piety, moderation, and pity toward herself. When Abradatas heard her he said, “Then what could I do, Panthea, on your behalf and my own to repay the favor to Cyrus?”
“How else,” said Panthea, “than by trying to be for him as he was for you.”
(48) After this Abradatas went to Cyrus. When he saw him, he took his right hand and said, “In return for the good you have done for us, Cyrus, I have nothing better to say than that I give myself to you as a friend, as an attendant, and as an ally. And in whatever I see that you are serious, I will try to become as strong a helper as is in my power.”
(49) And Cyrus said, “I accept. Now I dismiss you to dine with your wife, but some other time you will need to be with me in my tent, with both your friends and mine.”
(50) After this, when Abradatas saw that Cyrus was serious about the scythe-bearing chariots and covering both horses and knights in armor, he tried to contribute to him up to one hundred similar chariots from out of his own cavalry, and he prepared to lead them on chariot himself. (51) He harnessed his own chariot with four poles and eight horses. [From her own valuables, his wife Panthea made a golden breastplate and a golden helmet for him, and similarly also his armpieces.]10 He equipped the horses of his chariot entirely with armor of bronze.
(52) So this is what Abradatas was doing. When Cyrus saw his four-poled chariot, he conceived that it was possible to make one also with eight poles, so eight yokes of oxen could pull the lowest story of the siege engines.11 This was about three fathoms from the ground, including the wheels.12 (53) It seemed to him that such towers following with each division would be a great aid to its own phalanx and a great harm to their enemy’s divisions. On their stories he made galleries and battlements, and he sent up twenty men on each tower. (54) Once everything concerning the towers was organized, he experimented with the pulling of one. The team of eight yokes drew the tower and the men on it much more easily than each team drew its usual weight of baggage, for the weight of baggage for a yoked team was about twenty-five talents.13 The load for each team on the tower, with timbers in thickness like those of a tragic stage, along with twenty men and weapons, was less than fifteen talents. (55) When he knew that the pulling was easy, he made preparations with the intention of pulling the towers along with the army, believing that seizing the advantage in war was safety, justice, and happiness all at the same time.