Chapter 30 Volume Four VI

After seven days Xenophon handed over the village chief to Cherisophus as guide.He left his family; and his son in his prime was given to the custody of Pleitines of Amphipolis, so that his father, when he was good guide, might bring him back with him.So, having deposited as much supplies as possible at his house, they set up camp and set out on the road.The village headman led them through the snow-field untethered; but at the third station, Cherisophus lost his temper with him, because he would not lead them to the village, saying that there was no village in that region.Then Cherisophus beat him, but carelessly did not bind him.As a result, he sneaked away at night, leaving his son behind.This was the only disagreement between Chrysophus and Xenophon during the march; ill-treatment of the guides and neglect of the guard.But Pretinis fell in love with the son, took him home, and found him absolutely faithful.

Afterwards they marched seven stations, walking five parasangs a day, to the Phasis River.The river is a platron wide.From here, advance two stations and ten parasangs.On the defile leading to the yonder plain they encountered a party of Calubians, Taugians, and Fasians.As soon as Chrysophus saw the enemy in the defile at a distance of thirty stadia, he stopped, so as not to approach the enemy while still marching in column.He ordered the other officers to bring the company along as well, so that they could form a battle formation.When the rear team had come up, he called the generals and captains together and said: "You can see that the enemy is occupying the mountain pass. We should discuss how to fight best. My personal opinion is that we The soldiers should be ordered to have breakfast, and at the same time we consider whether it is best to cross the mountain today or tomorrow." Criano said, "I think that after breakfast, we should be armed and rush to the enemy with all our strength. Because if we Delay the past, not only will the enemies who are watching us now be emboldened, but when they are emboldened, it is likely that a larger number of others will join in." After Criano finished speaking, Xenophon said: "I The way it is thought, if we have to fight, our preparations should take into account that, to fight as hard a battle as possible. But if we want to get through it as easily as possible, then I think our considerations should be based on On this point: how to suffer the least number of casualties. Now this mountain—or this part of it as we see it—extends for more than sixty stadia, and the people guarding us are only on the upper road and nowhere else.

It is therefore much better to turn to the unoccupied part of the hill, avoid the enemy's perception, and seize it as soon as possible before them, than to attack the fortress with the prepared enemy.Because it is easier to march on the mountains without fighting than to be attacked on all sides on the flat ground.It is easier to see the situation ahead if you do not fight at night and fight during the day.It is much better to walk on a rough road without beating than to walk on a flat road while beating and get beaten on the head.As for seizing a stronghold, I think it is not impossible, because we can travel at night so that the enemy cannot see us; we can stay far away from the enemy so that we cannot be heard by the enemy.However, I also thought that if we made a feint here, the rest of the hill would be less guarded, because the enemy would be more likely to form a mass on the spot.Why do I always suggest sneak attacks?For I have heard, Cherisophus, that you Lasidemonians, at least the nobles among you, have practiced stealing from infancy, and are not ashamed to steal anything that is not prohibited by the law. Rong.Your law there is to make the best possible steal possible without getting caught, and to suffer with the cane if you are caught stealing.So now is the time for you to show off your training talents, and be careful not to get caught sneaking up on the mountain, so we won't get beaten either.

Cherisophus said: "Well, however, I have heard that you Athenians are best at stealing official money, Although this is very dangerous for the thief.In fact, your most senior people do this the most, at least if they are really tall people who are considered qualified to rule.So now is also the time for you to show your talents. Xenophon said, "Well, I am going to lead the rear team to take this mountain as soon as I have finished eating." I also had guides, because the light soldiers staged an ambush and captured some sneak raiders who were following us.I also learned from these people that this mountain is not impassable, and that there are livestock goats grazing there.Therefore, once we have captured any part of the mountain, our beasts of burden will also be able to pass.I hope the enemy will withdraw unhindered as soon as they see us on the same height as them; for now they will not come down to engage us. ’ Then Cherisophus said: ‘But why did you leave the guard and go?It's better to send someone else, unless some good man volunteers. Then Aristonimus the Methidrian, who commanded the heavy infantry, Aristes the Chiosian with the light soldiers, and Nicomachus the Otarian with the light soldiers stepped forward. They agreed that once Having taken the high ground, some fires were lit. After the appointment they went to breakfast. Immediately after breakfast Cherisophus advanced the whole army towards the enemy about ten stadia, in order to convince him that he was going to attack him along this road.

After they finished their dinner and night came, the team assigned to carry out this task went forward to occupy the mountain, while the rest of the team rested on the spot.When the enemy found that the mountain was occupied, they could not sleep all night and lit many fires.At daybreak Cherisophus made a sacrifice to the gods, and led his army along the road, while the party which had captured the hill advanced up the heights.On the enemy's side, the majority remained at the passes on the mountain pass, but some went to meet the detachments on the higher ground.Before the main forces of the two armies approached each other, the teams on the mountain engaged in close combat.The Greeks were victorious and began to pursue.At the same time, the main force of the Greek army went up the mountain from the plain, and the light-armed soldiers ran towards the enemy's formation, while Cherisophus led the heavy armor to follow at a fast pace.At this time, when the enemy on the road saw that the mountain detachment had been defeated, they fled.Not many were killed, and a large number of rattan shields were captured, and the Greek army chopped them into waste with their swords.When they climbed to the top of the mountain road, they offered sacrifices to the gods, and after setting up the winning bid, they descended into the plain on the other side, and reached the village rich in many good things.