Cyrupædia The institution and life of Cyrus, the first of that name, King of Persians. Eight bookes. Treating of noble education, of princely exercises, military discipline, vvarlike stratagems, preparations and expeditions: as appeareth by the contents before the beginning of the first booke. Written in Greeke by the sage Xenophon. Translated out of Greeke into English, and conferred with the Latine and French translations, by Philemon Holland of the city of Coventry Doctor in Physick. Dedicated to his most excellent Maiesty.

CHAP. IIII.

The ordinances that Cyrus made for the exercise of his souldiers, and to keep them in all obedience.

THese were the words of Cyrus; which when the Persians had heard, they made this account, that worthy they were from that time forward to live all their dayes in penury and want, if being thus called, to take paines alike, for to enjoy therefore like availes; they would not accept thereof. Whereupon they all entred their names, and being once registred, tooke every man his armour. But all the while that the enemies were said to be comming neere at hand, and yet appeared not in sight; Cyrus endeavoured both to exer∣cise

his souldiers bodies in such feats, as it might gather more strength: to teach them also to set their array, and embattaile, yea and to whet their stomacks against warre-service. But first of all, having received ministers and offi∣cers from Cyaxares, he commaunded them to furnish every souldier sufficiently with all things needfull: Which order being taken, he left them by this meanes nothing else to doe, but to exercise onely martiall deeds: seeming, that he had learned and observed thus much, that they became alwaies in every point most excellent, who leaving to busie their heads & to deale in many things, gave their minds to one worke onely and no more. Nay, more than so, even of military exercises, cutting off their training to the use of bowes, arrowes and darts, hee left them nought else to practise, but to fight with sword, buckler and brest∣plate, whereby it came to passe, that immediately he imprinted this opinion in them, that either they must buckle with their enemies close at hand-strokes, or else confesse themselves to bee warre-fellowes of no worth. But to acknow∣ledge thus much was very hard and harsh to them: knowing as they did, that they were kept for no other purpose, but in defence of those that gave them maintenance. Furthermore, weighing well with himselfe, that men be much more willing to practise all those feats, about which ariseth an emulation and contentious desire of victory, he proclaimed games of price and triall of maste∣ries among them, in all those points that he deemed expedient for souldiers to put in ure.

Now, the particulars that he ordained and published were these: Imprimis, for a private souldier, that he beare himselfe hardy, obey his Rulers and Cap∣taines: be willing to labour; forward and prest to adventure; yet so, as hee keep order in his ranke: expert in military affaires, elegant and neat in his ar∣mour: and in all such things desirous of praise and honour. For a* 1.1 Cinquenier, that both in his owne person he behave himselfe as becommeth a valorous pri∣vate souldier; and withall performe to the uttermost of his power, that the Quincury under his charge may be like unto himselfe, For a* 1.2 Dizinier, that semblably he tend his Decurie, the* 1.3 Caporall likewise his band. The* 1.4 Cen∣tinier his hundred. For every Captaine beside, that he not onely demeane him∣selfe without touch and blame, but bee carefull also, that other peti-captaines under him keepe those in good order whom they commaunded.* 1.5 Now, the re∣wards or prizes which he proposed were these. For the Centiniers, That as many of them as brought their Centuries to best proufe, might be made* 1.6 Co∣lonels. For the Caporals, that such of them as were thought to have trained their bands most sufficiently, might succeed in their places who had beene Cen∣turions: In like maner that the best Decurions should be advanced to the rowme of Caporals: and the Quincurions likewise to the leading of Decuries. Finally, that private souldiers, such as excelled the rest, should step into the Quincurions degree. And verily, all these Captaines gained this at first, To be esteemed of those Companies whereof they had the rule: then, other honours consequent∣ly followed, as were beseeming every one according to their calling. Further∣more, he made shew of greater hopes to such as were praise worthy, if haply in time to come, there should appeare any shew of father commodity. Hee proclaimed likewise rewards of victory, to whole Centuries, as also to whole Decuries and Quincuries: according, as they shewed themselves right* 1.7 faith∣full and* 1.8 obedient to their Captaines, yea and most ready to execute the servi∣ces

appointed unto them. And such were their rewards, as best befitted a mul∣titude. Thus much as touching these particulars, which himselfe published, and wherein the Soldiours were exercised. Moreover, he provided for them Pavilions, for number as many as there were Centurions, and for their capacity sufficient every one to receive a* 1.9 Company: and each Company contained one hundred Soldiers. And thus pitched they their tents by the hundreds. Of en∣camping thus and lodging together, he supposed this commodity would arise unto them, against any future battaile, in that they saw themselves one with another kept and maintained alike: In which regard, none could have pretense of Cowardise, for to shrinke or beare himselfe worse in fighting with his ene∣my, as having smaller availes one than another. This conversing also under one roufe, he thought would make much for their mutuall acquaintance. For, in knowing each other, he was perswaded they would bee all more abashed to doe amisse: Whereas, those who are unknowne, like unto such as live in dark∣nesse, seeme in some sort more prone to commit wickednesse. Againe, it see∣med unto him, that by reason of this society in campe and pavilion, they should finde much good in the exact ordinance of their Companies and setting them in array. For the Centurions had under them their hundreds lying and lodg∣ing, * 1.10 in so good dispose, as if every Century marched by it selfe upon the way: Semblably the Caporals of their bands: The Decurions their Tenns and Quicurions their fives. This precise order of severall bands and companies, he thought very profitable, both to prevent all trouble and confusion: and also in case they were once shuffled and in desarary, to rally and reduce them againe sooner into order: like as stones and pieces of timber, which are to bee joyned and set together in building, how ever they chance to lye asunder and cast aside may yet be easily fitted and couched one to another, if they have certaine marks, by which it may evidently appeare from what place every of them came? Fi∣nally by such fellowship in living together at bed and boord, he thought they should finde this benefit, in that they would be more louth to forsake one ano∣ther: because hee saw, that even wild beasts feeding together hoan exceeding∣ly after their fellowes, if happly any man plucke and sever them asunder.

Moreover, Cyrus had a speciall eye to this also, that his Soldiours should ne∣ver goe in, to dinner or supper, unlesse they had laboured first, untill they sweat againe. For, he either led them forth on hunting, and so caused them to sweat, or else devised for them such games and pastimes, as might drive them into a sweat. And if it happened, that himselfe were to performe any exploit, hee would in person lead them, and set into the action so, as they should be sure, not to returne without sweating. For, this he supposed to bee very good for them, causing them to eate their meat with better stomack and delight, to pre∣serve their health, and to enable them unto labour. Yea, and this fellowship in paines taking as he thought, would make them to be more milde and gentle one unto another. For, even horses accustomed to worke and labour togither abroad, are wont to stand more gently and quietly in the stable. And certaine it is, that those Soldiours will sticke to it more couragiously against their ene∣mies, who are privy to themselves that they have beene well exercised. Fur∣thermore, Cyrus for himselfe reared a pavilion, sufficient for the receit of those, whom he bade at any time to supper. And for the most part, he invited to his table, such Centiniers as he thought meet. Sometimes, Caporals, otherwhiles

Diziniers and Cinquiniers: Now and then also, he admitted to his boord, cer∣taine private souldiers, yea and whole companies or bands, of fives and tennes, of* 1.11 twenty fives and hundreds, at a time. This manner of inviting and doing them honour, he used whensoever hee saw some of them to have executed that exploit, which he would have had joyntly performed by all. As for the ser∣vice of dishes up to the boord, it was no other for Cyrus himselfe than for his guests. The* 1.12 ministers in the campe, hee made equall in condition with the rest, and partakers of all things. For that he judged these officers no lesse wor∣thy of honour and advancement than either Heraults or Embassadors. For, he supposed, that such ought to be trusty; expert in military affaires, quicke witted and of good conceit, hardy besides and active, forward to action, and firme in resolution: yea and more than so, Cyrus judged that these ministers ought to be as much respected every way, and to enjoy as many preferments as those, who were reputed the very best: and therefore so to bee inured, as that they might refuse no labour, but thinke all things meet for them to doe, which their Captaine commaunded.

Notes

• * 1.1

  That hath the leading of 5. Souldiers.
• * 1.2

  A leader of 10.
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.4

  A Captain 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I guesse over 25. or 50.
• * 1.5

  The leader of an hundred, or a Centurion.
• * 1.6

  Leaders of a thousand.
• * 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.9

  A 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.10

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.11

  Or••••ties
• * 1.12

  As, Serge∣••••ts and such.