(1) After praying to the gods, they rejoined their companies,1 and attendants brought in things to eat and drink to Cyrus and his followers while they were still at their sacrifices. Cyrus, standing just as he was, offered up the first fruits, had his dinner, and continued to share with whoever was in want. After both pouring a libation and praying, he drank, and the others who were around him did likewise. After this, he besought ancestral Zeus to be their leader and ally, and he got up on his horse and so ordered those around him. (2) All those around Cyrus had been armed in the same arms as Cyrus—with purple tunics, brass breastplates, brass helmets, white crests, swords, and one spear of cornel wood for each. Their horses had been armed with bronze pieces for their foreheads, chests, and shoulders, and these very shoulder pieces also served as thigh pieces for the rider.2 Cyrus’ arms were different only in that whereas the others had been painted with a golden color, Cyrus’ arms shone like a mirror. (3) When he mounted and kept still, looking off in the direction in which he was going to march, thunder sounded on the right, and he said, “We will follow you, greatest Zeus.” He set forth with the cavalry commander Chrysantas and the cavalry on the right, and with Arsamas and the infantry on the left. (4) He passed the word to look toward the standard and to follow in an even line. His standard was a golden eagle with its wings spread open, mounted on a long spear. Even now this still remains the standard for the king of the Persians. Before seeing the enemy, he made the army halt as many as three times.
(5) When they had advanced about twenty stadia,3 they already began to see their enemies’ army coming on in opposition. When all were visible to each other and the enemy recognized that their phalanx extended far beyond on both sides, they halted their own phalanx—for otherwise there is no way to encircle—and began bending their line forward for the encirclement, making their own formation like a gamma on both sides, so that they might engage everywhere at the same time.4 (6) Cyrus, on seeing this, did not draw back but led on just asbefore. Noting how far out on each side they made the hinge around which they turned and stretched out their wings, he said, “Have you noted, Chrysàntas, where they have made their hinges?”
“Certainly,” said Chrysantas, “and I am amazed, for they certainly seem to me to be drawing off the wings far from their own phalanx.”
“Yes, by Zeus,” said Cyrus, “and from ours.”
(7) “Why is this?”
“It is clear that they are afraid that if their wings come near to us when their phalanx is still far away, we will attack them.”
“Then,” said Chrysantas, “how will the one group be able to help the other when they are so distant from each other?”
“But it is clear,” said Cyrus, “that when the wings are extended and are opposite the sides of our army, turning into a phalanx, they will come at us with the intention of fighting on all sides at once.”
(8) “Then do they seem to you,” said Chrysantas, “to plan well?” “For what they see, at least. For what they do not see, they are coming at us in still worse a way than in column. But you, Arsamas,” he said, “lead on calmly with the infantry as you see me doing. You, Chrysantas, follow along with your cavalry at a pace equal to his. I will go off to that place from which I think it opportune to begin the battle, and as I go along I shall examine how things stand for us. (9) When I am there, and when we are already close to each other and still approaching, I will begin the paean, and you press onward more quickly. At the moment we make contact with the enemy—and you will perceive it, for I think there will be no little uproar—Abradatas will then drive with his chariots into those who oppose him, for he will have been told to do so. You need to follow staying as close as possible to the chariots, for it is especially in this way that we will fall on our enemies while they are in confusion. I will be there too, as quickly as I am able, in pursuit of the men, if the gods are willing.”
(10) Having said this and having begun the passing of the watchword, “Zeus, savior and leader,” he went on. As he passed between the chariots and troops in breastplates, when he looked at some in their formations, he would then say, “Men, how pleasant it is to see your faces!” Again, later, he would say among others, “Do you realize, men, that the contest at hand is not only about today’s victory, but also about the one that you won before and about every happiness?” (11) Going up among others he would say, “Men, in the future, one must no longer blame gods, for they are allowing us to acquire many good things. But let us be good men.” (12) Again, alongside others, as follows: “To what more noble club could we ever invite each other than to this one?5 For now it is possible by being good men to contribute many good things to each other.” (13) Again, alongside others, “You know, men, I think, that the prizes now set before the victorious are to pursue, to strike, to kill, to have good things, to hear noble things, to be free, to rule. But to the bad, clearly the opposite of these. So whoever loves himself, let him fight along with me, for I will never voluntarily bring myself to do anything evil or shameful.”
(14) When he was alongside any of those who had fought along with him before, he would say, “What must.I say to you, men? You know what sort of day the good have in battle, and what sort the bad.”
(15) When, as he was going around, he came alongside Abradatas, he stopped, and Abradatas gave over his reins to the groom and went to him. Others of the infantry and charioteers who were in order nearby also ran up. Cyrus said among those who had come up beside him, “God, Abradatas, just as you did, thought you and those with you to be deserving of being positioned first among the allies.6 Remember that when you must enter the contest, there will be Persians who will look upon you, who will follow you, and who will not allow you to contend without support.”
(16) And Abradatas said, “What is set against us seems fine to me, Cyrus, but the flanks trouble me. There I see the wings of our enemies stretched out in strength with both chariots and arms of all sorts, but on our side there is nothing ordered against them but chariots. Consequently, had I not obtained this position by lot, I would be ashamed to be here, so much do I think I am in the safest position.”
(17) And Cyrus said, “But if your own situation is fine, be confident also about those on the flanks. With gods’ [help], I will soon show these same flanks to be devoid of enemies. And do not, I beg of you, hurl yourself upon the Egyptians, your adversaries, until you see that those whom you now fear are running away.” Thus did he boast when the battle was about to occur; otherwise, he was not much of a boaster. “When, however, you see them in flight, believe that I am already at hand and charge into the men, for you then would find your adversaries at their worst and your own troops at their best. (18) But while you still have leisure, Abradatas, by all means drive among your chariots and summon your troops to the attack, encouraging them with your looks and buoying them up with hopes. Implant in them the love of victory, that you may appear the best of those on chariots;7 and be assured, if this turns out well, all will say in the future that nothing is more profitable than virtue.” So after going up on his chariot, Abradatas drove around and did this.
(19) When, as Cyrus continued his rounds, he was on the left, where Hystaspas was with half of the Persian cavalry, he called him by name and said, “Hystaspas, now do you see? Your swiftness has work to do, for if we now get a head start in killing our enemies, none of us will die.”
(20) And Hystaspas laughed and said, “But we will take care of the troops opposite to us, but assign to others the enemies on our flank so that they may not be at leisure.”
And Cyrus said, “But I am myself going against them. But remember this, Hystaspas: To whichever of us god grants victory, if anything is left of the enemy anywhere, let us keep on joining in against whatever part continues to fight.” Having said this, he went on.
(21) As he went along the flank, when he came to the ruler of the chariots there, he said to him, “I come to bring you aid. When you perceive us attacking the tip of their wing, then you too must try to drive through the enemy, for you will be in a much safer spot getting through to the outside than being taken on the inside.”
(22) When, as he continued his rounds, he was behind the carriages, he ordered Artagerses and Phamuchus to remain there with their regiments of infantry and cavalry. “When you perceive me attacking those on the right wing, then you too must attack those against you. You will fight against a wing, where an army is weakest, and you will have a phalanx, the way in which you would be strongest. As you see, the enemy’s cavalry is at the extreme end of the wing; be sure to send the company of camels against them, and be assured that you will see the enemy become ridiculous even before you fight them.”
(23) Having accomplished these things, Cyrus went over to the right side. Croesus believed that the phalanx with which he himself was marching was already nearer to the enemy than were the outstretched wings, so he raised a signal to the wings not to keep marching forward but to turn there in their places. When they stood opposite, looking toward Cyrus’ army, he signaled to them to march against the enemy. (24) And thus did three phalanxes advance against Cyrus’ army, one against the front, then two others, one against the right and one against the left. Great fear consequently spread throughout all of Cyrus’ army, for like a little tile that has been put inside a big one, Cyrus’ army was surrounded on all sides except the rear by the enemy with cavalry, heavy infantry, targeteers, archers, and chariots.8 (25) Nevertheless, when Cyrus directed, they all turned to face against the enemy, and there was everywhere a great silence owing to their hesitancy about what was coming. When it seemed to Cyrus to be opportune, he began the paean, and all the army chanted along. (26) After this they raised the war cry to Enyalius,9 and at the same time, Cyrus shot forward. Directly taking the enemy on their flank with his cavalry, he engaged them at close range in the quickest way. The infantry assigned to him followed quickly, and they began to envelop them from two sides, so that he was clearly getting the advantage, for he attacked with a phalanx against their flank.10 Consequently, the enemy was soon in vigorous flight.
(27) When Artagerses perceived Cyrus at work, he himself attacked the left and sent the camels forward, just as Cyrus had ordered. The horses, even from very far off, did not await their attack, but some became senseless and fled, others began rearing, and others crashed into each other, for such is the effect of camels upon horses. (28) With his own troops in order, Artagerses set upon them in their confusion. The chariots charged against both right and left at the same time, and many who were fleeing the chariots were killed by the troops following up the attack on the flank, and many who were fleeing these troops were caught by the chariots.
(29) Abradatas waited no longer. Shouting, “Men, friends, follow me,” he plunged in and did not spare his horses but severely bloodied them with his whip, and the other charioteers joined his attack. The enemy chariots promptly began to flee from them, some after picking up their dismounted fighters, others even abandoning them.11 (30) But Abradatas dashed right through and charged into the Egyptian phalanx. Those nearest to him in the order also charged with him. Now it is clear also from many other times and places that there is no phalanx stronger than one assembled from allies who are friends, and it was also shown here too: His companions and tablemates charged in with him, but when the other drivers saw the Egyptians waiting in a great mass, they veered off after the chariots in flight and followed them. (31) Where Abradatas and those with him made their charge, since the Egyptians were not able to withdraw because others on their sides stood fast, they struck and knocked down those who stood upright with the impetus of the horses, and they crushed the fallen, both the [men] and their weapons, with their horses and wheels. Wherever the scythes reached, they cut up everything with their violence, both arms and bodies. (32) In this indescribable confusion, because of heaps of all sorts of things, Abradatas and others of those who joined in the charge fell out of their chariots when their wheels bounced off, and so these men who had been good were here cut down and killed.12 The Persians followed up, and where Abradatas and his cohorts had charged, they fell on and killed the enemy in their confusion. Yet those Egyptians who had suffered nothing, and there were many of them, advanced in opposition to the Persians.
(33) Here, then, there was a terrible battle with spears, lances, and swords. Nevertheless, with their numbers and weapons, the Egyptians were getting the advantage, for their spears were strong and long, and they continue to use them even today; and their large shields cover their bodies much more than breastplates and normal shields, and since they extend to the shoulder, they are helpful in pushing.13 So locking their shields together, they pushed and advanced. (34) Since they held out their smaller shields with their arms extended, the Persians were not able to hold out against them, but striking and being struck, they withdrew backward foot by foot until they were under the [protection of the] siege engines. When they came here, however, the Egyptians were struck again, this time from the towers. And the rear guard did not allow either the archers or the spearmen to flee, but they extended their swords and compelled them to shoot and throw. (35) There was thus a great slaughter of men, a great crash of weapons and arrows, and much shouting by those who were calling out to each other for help, by others who were yelling encouragements, and by others who were invoking gods.
(36) At this time Cyrus arrived in pursuit of those who had been arrayed against him. When he saw that the Persians had been pushed from their positions, he was grieved, and realizing that he could in no way stop the enemy from their advance more quickly than if he should ride around to their rear, he directed his cohorts to follow and rode around to their rear. And they fell upon and struck them as they looked the other way, and they killed many. (37) When the Egyptians perceived it, they shouted that the enemy was in their rear, and they faced about even while getting hit. And here, then, infantry and cavalry were jumbled together in battle. Someone who had fallen beneath Cyrus’ horse and was being trampled stabbed his horse in the belly with his sword. Once stabbed, the horse lurched and threw Cyrus. (38) Here, then, one could have come to know how worthwhile it is for a ruler to be loved by his cohorts, for all immediately shouted out and fought their way toward him: They pushed and were pushed, they struck and were struck. And some one of Cyrus’ aides leaped down from his own horse and threw him up onto it.
(39) After Cyrus was mounted, he saw that the Egyptians were already being hit from all sides, for Hystaspas was already on hand with the Persian cavalry, and Chrysantas was also present. He no longer allowed these to charge into the Egyptian phalanx, but he ordered them to shoot their arrows and throw their spears from the outside. He then rode around, and when he was next to the siege engines, he decided to go up on one of the towers and investigate whether any other part of the enemy anywhere was standing their ground and fighting. (40) After he had gone up, he saw the plain full of horses, human beings, chariots—fleeing, pursuing, conquering, being conquered. But he was not able to detect that any part was still standing its ground anywhere, except for the Egyptians. Since they were at a loss, they made a circle all around and sat down beneath their shields so that only their weapons could be seen. Thus they no longer did anything, but they suffered much that was terrible.
(41) Admiring and pitying them because they were good men and were being destroyed, Cyrus had all the encircling troops back off and allowed no one to continue to do battle. He sent them a herald and asked whether they all wished to be destroyed by those who had betrayed them or to save themselves and their reputation of being good men.14
They answered, “How could we save ourselves and our reputation of being good men?”
(42) Cyrus again said, “Because we see that you alone are standing your ground and are willing to fight.”
“Yes, but after this,” said the Egyptians, “what could we do that is noble to save ourselves?”
And Cyrus next said to this, “If you should save yourselves without having betrayed any of your allies, and if without surrendering your weapons you become friends to those who choose to save you, even though it is possible for them to destroy you.”15
(43) On hearing this they asked further, “If we become your friends, how will you see fit to treat us?”
Cyrus answered, “By exchanging benefits.”
The Egyptians again asked, “What benefits?”
To this Cyrus said, “For as long as the war lasts, I would give you a wage greater than you now receive. When there is peace, I will give land, cities, women, and servants to any of you who wish to stay with me.”
(44) When the Egyptians heard this, they asked that he exempt them from campaigning against Croesus, for they said that they were known to him alone. Agreeing on the other points, they gave and received pledges. (45) The Egyptians who remained at that time continue to be trusted by the king even now, and Cyrus gave them cities, some in the interior, which are even now called Egyptian cities, as well as Larisa and Cyllene by Cume, near the sea, which their descendants possess even now. Having accomplished such things and it being already dark, Cyrus led the army back and camped in Thymbrara.
(46) Of the enemy it was only the Egyptians who distinguished themselves in the battle, and of Cyrus’ troops the Persian cavalry seemed best. Consequently, the armament that Cyrus then established for his cavalry continues even now. (47) The scythe-bearing chariots also distinguished themselves impressively. Consequently this war chariot too continues in use even now by whoever is king. (48) The camels only frightened the horses, however, and the knights mounted on them certainly did not kill and neither were they killed by [the enemy] knights, for no horse came close. (49) They seemed to be useful, and yet no noble and good man is willing either to raise a camel for riding or to practice with one for fighting. Thus they took their old position again and remain among the pack animals.