The history of the world

§. XV. Of diuers pieces of seruice done by XENOPHON; and how the Armie retur∣nedinto Greece. The occasions of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 betweene the Lacedae∣monians and the Persian.

THe Hauen of Calpas lay vnder a goodly head-land, that was very strong, and abounding with all kinde of Graine and Fruits, except [unspec 50] Oliues. There was also Timber for building and shipping, and a very conuenient sea for a great Citie. All which commodities, that might haue allu ed the Souldiers to stay there, and to plant,

caused them to haste away, fearing lest Xenophon should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some deuice to haue settled himselfe and them in that place. For the greater part of them had good meanes to liue at home, neither did they so much for hope of gaine follow Cyrus in that Warre, as in regard of his Honour, and the loue which they bare vnto him: the poorer sort were such as left the Parents, Wiues, and Children, to whom (though failing of the riches which they had hoped to purchase) they were now desirous to returne. But whether it were so that Xenophon found aduantage by their owne superstition, to make them stay, which they greatly suspected; or whether 〈◊〉〈◊〉 signes appearing in the entrailes, did indeede forbid their departure: so long they were inforced to abide in the place till victualls failed, neither would [unspec 10] the Captaines leade them forth to forrage the Countrie, vntill the Sacrifices should promise good successe. Cherisophus was dead of an Ague, and his ships were gone, being returned to the Heracleans, of whom they were borrowed. His followers were joyned to the rest of the Armie, which the greater it was, the more prouision it needed, and the sooner felt want. For which cause, he that was chosen Coronell into the place of Cherisophus, would needs aduenture to gratifie the Souldiers with the spoile of some Villages that stood neere at hand; in which enterprise he found ill successe, the whole Countrie lying in waite to entrap him, and an Armie of Horse being sent by Pharnabazus the Satrapa, or Vice-roy of Phrygia, to the assistance of these 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Thracians, which troupes falling vpon the Greekes that were scat∣tered [unspec 20] abroade in seeking bootie, slew fiue hundred of them, and chased the rest to a certaine Mountaine thereby. The newes of this ouerthrow comming to Xenophon, he led forth a part of the Armie to the rescue of those that suruiued, and brought them safe to the Campe; vpon which the Bythinians made an offer that night, and breaking a Corps du garde, slew some, pursuing the rest to the very Tents. This new courage of the enemie, together with the present condition of the Armie, so disheartened and vnfurnished of necessaries, caused the Greekes to remoue their Campe to a place of more strength; which hauing intrenched, and committed to the defence of such as were least able to indure trauaile, Xenophon with the firmest and best able men went forth, both to burie those which were lately slaine, and to [unspec 30] abate the pride of the Thracians, and their Assistants. In this journey his demea∣nour was very Honourable. For hauing giuen buriall to the dead, the Enemie was discouered, lying on the tops of the Hills adjoyning, to whom (notwithstan∣ding 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the way was very rough, and troublesome, so that some thought it a matter of too great danger, to leaue at their backes a wood scarce passeable) hee marched directly, telling his men plainely, that hee had rather follow the enemie with halfe the number, than turne his back to them with twice as many, and letting them further know, that if they did not charge the Barbarian, hee would 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the greater resolution to pursue them; from whom if they could safely re∣tire to the campe, yet what should they doe there, wanting victualls to sustaine [unspec 40] them in the place, and ships, to carrie them away? wherefore hee willed them ra∣ther to fight well that day, hauing eaten their dinners, than an other day fasting; and not to regard the vneasie returne, which might serue to stay Cowards from running away, but to wish vnto the Enemie a faire and easie way, by which hee might 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from them. These perswasions were followed with so valiant execu∣tion, that both Persians and Bythinians being chased out of the field, abandoned the Countrie forthwith, remouing their Families, and leauing all that could not sodainely bee conueighed away, to the discretion of the Greekes, who at good leisure gathered the haruest of these bad Neighbours fields. This was the last fight which they had on the side of Asia. For they were not only suffered quietly [unspec 50] to enjoy the spoile of the Countrie, but when the opinion grew common in those parts, that it was the intent of Xenophon to plant a Colonie on the Port of Calpas, Embassadours were sent from the Neighbour people, to desire friendship, and

make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of their best assistance. But the Souldiers had no minde to stay. Wher∣fore entring further into Bythinia, they tooke a great bootie, which they carried a∣way to Chrysopolis, a Citie neere vnto Chalcedon, where they sold it. Pharnabazus, Lieutenant in Phrygia to Artaxerxes, did greatly feare, lest their long stay in that Countrie might breede in them a desire to visite his Prouince, where they might haue found great wealth, and little power to guard it. Therefore he sent to the Lacedaemonian Admirall, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him with much instance and large promises to waft them ouer into Europe; to whom Anaxibius the Admirall condescending, promised to giue the Souldiers pay, as soon as they arriued at Bizantium. So 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they carried out of Asia at the intreatie of the Persian, who in the height of his [unspec 10] pride had thought them so surely imprisoned with mighty Riuers, that he not on∣ly denied to permit their quiet departure, but willed them to surrender their Armes into his hands, and so to yeeld their liues to his discretion. How discourte∣ously they were intreated by Anaxibius, and how to requite his injurious dealings, they seized vpon Bizantium, which by Xenophous perswasion they forbare to sacke, I hold it superfluous to relate. For the residue of their doings appertaine little to the generall course of things. But this expedition, as in all ages it was glorious, so did it both discouer the secrets of Asia, and stirre vp the Greekes to thinke vpon greater enterprises, than euer their forefathers had vndertaken. Likewise it was the only remarkable action which the time affoorded. For the Roman warres did hi∣therto [unspec 20] extend no further than to the next neighbouring Townes of Italie; and in Greece all things were quiet, the Lacedaemonians ruling insolently, but without di∣sturbance. True it is, that the seedes of the Warre shortly following, which the Lacedaemonians made vpon Artaxerxes, were already sowne, before these companies returned out of the high Countries of Asia. For the Townes of Ionia, which had sided with yong Cyrus against Tissaphernes, if not against the great King, prepared to rebell, which they thought safer, than to fall into the hands of Tissaphernes, who was now appointed Lieutenant, both of his old Prouince, and of all that had belonged to Cyrus. Wherefore the Ionians besought the Lacedaemonians to send them aide, whereby to recouer [unspec 30] their libertie; and obtained their request.

For a power was sent ouer, vnder conduct of Thimbro a Spartan, who bestowed his men in such Townes as had already reuolted, to secure the Cities and their Fields, but not to make any offen∣siue Warre. [unspec 40] [unspec 50]