ggons and beasts of burden.
[35] Let us leave them behind us, and put Gobryas at their head. He is
acquainted with the roads, and for the rest he is a man of skill. But we
ourselves will push on with our stoutest men and our strongest horses,
taking provision for three days and no more: the lighter and cheaper
our gear the more gaily shall we break our fast and take our supper and
sleep on the road. [36] And now," said he, "let us arrange the order
of the march. You, Chrysantas, must lead the van with your cuirassiers,
since the road is broad and smooth, and you must put your brigadiers
in the first line, each regiment marching in file, for if we keep close
order we shall travel all the quicker and be all the safer. [37] I put
the cuirassiers in the front," he added, "because they are our heaviest
troops, and if the heaviest are leading, the lighter cannot find it hard
to follow: whereas where the swiftest lead and the march is at night,
it is no wonder if the column fall to pieces: the vanguard is always
running away. [38] And behind the cuirassiers," he went on, "Artabazas
is to follow with the Persian targeteers and the bowmen, and behind
them Andamyas the Mede with the Median infantry, and then Embas and
the Armenian infantry, and then Artouchas with the Hyrcanians, and
then Thambradas with the Sakian foot, and finally Datamas with the
Cadousians. [39] All these officers will put their brigadiers in the
first line, their targeteers on the right, and their bowmen on the left
of their own squares: this is the order in which they will be of most
use. [40] All the baggage-bearers are to follow in the rear: and their
officers must see that they get everything together before they sleep,
and present themselves betimes in the morning, with all their gear,
and always keep good order on the march. [41] In support of the
baggage-train," he added, "there will be, first, Madatas the Persian
with the Persian cavalry, and he too must put his brigadiers in the
front, each regiment following in single file, as with the infantry.
[42] Behind them Rambacas the Mede and his cavalry, in the same order,
and then you, Tigranes, and yours, and after you the other cavalry
leaders with the men they brought. The Sakians will follow you, and last
of all will come the Cadousians, who were the last to join us, and
you, Alkeunas, who are to command them, for the present you will take
complete control of the rear, and allow no one to fall behind yo