than by their
bodily strength."

[20] He ended, and Cyaxares answered:

"Cyrus, both you and all my Persian friends may feel sure that I find
it no trouble to maintain you; do not imagine such a thing; but I agree
with you that the time is ripe for an advance on the enemy's land."

"Then," said Cyrus, "since we are all of one mind, let us make our final
preparations, and, if heaven will, let us set forth without delay."

[21] So they bade the soldiers prepare for the start, and Cyrus offered
sacrifices to Zeus the Lord and to the other gods in due order, and
prayed, "Look on us with favour, and be gracious to us; guide our army,
stand beside us in the battle, aid us in council, help us in action, be
the comrades of the brave." Also he called upon the Heroes of Media,
who dwell in the land and guard it. [22] Then, when the signs were
favourable and his army was mustered on the frontier, he felt that the
moment had come, and with all good omens to support him, he invaded
the enemy's land. And so soon as he had crossed the border he offered
libations to the Earth and victims to the gods, and sought to win the
favour of the Heroes who guard Assyria. And having so done, once more he
sacrificed to Zeus, the god of his fathers, and was careful to reverence
every other god who came before his mind.

[23] But when these duties were fulfilled, there was no further pause.
He pushed his infantry on at once, a short day's march, and then
encamped, while the cavalry made a swift descent and captured much spoil
of every kind. For the future they had only to shift their camp from
time to time, and they found supplies in abundance, and could ravage the
enemy's land at their ease while waiting his approach. [24] Presently
news came of his advance: he was said to be barely ten days' off, and
at that Cyrus went to Cyaxares and said: "The hour has come, and we
must face the enemy. Let it not seem to friend or foe that we fear the
encounter: let us show them that we enjoy the fight."

[25] Cyaxares agreed, and they moved forward in good order, marching
each day as far as appeared desirable. They were careful to take their
evening meal by daylight, and at night they lit no fires in the camp:
they made them in front of it, so that in case of attack they might see
their assailants, while they themselves remained unseen. And often they
lit other fires in their rear as well, to deceive the enemy; so that
at times the Assyrian scouts actual