marching past there is no means of avoiding long straggling lines of
waggons, long strings of baggage-bearers, and all these must be screened
by the fighting-force so as never to leave the baggage unprotected. [46]
But this must mean a thin weak order for the fighting-men, and if the
enemy choose to attack at any point with their full force, they can
strike with far more weight than any of the troops available to meet
them at the moment. [47] Again, the length of line means a long delay in
bringing up relief, whereas the enemy have only a handsbreadth to cover
as they rush out from the walls or retire. [48] But now, if we leave
a distance between ourselves and them as wide as our line is long,
not only with they realise our numbers plainly enough, but our veil of
glittering armour will make the whole multitude more formidable in
their eyes. [49] And, if they do attack us anywhere, we shall be able to
foresee their advance a long way off and be quite prepared to give them
welcome. But it is far more likely, gentlemen," he added, "that they
will not make the attempt, with all that ground to cover from the walls,
unless they imagine that their whole force is superior to the whole of
ours: they know that retreat will be difficult and dangerous."

[50] So Cyrus spoke, and his listeners felt that he was right, and
Gobryas led the army by the way that he advised. And as one detachment
after another passed the city, Cyrus strengthened the protection for the
rear and so withdrew in safety.

[51] Marching in this order, he came back at last to his first
starting-point, on the frontier between Assyria and Media. Here he dealt
with three Assyrian fortresses: one, the weakest, he attacked and took
by force, while the garrisons of the other two, what with the eloquence
of Gadatas and the terror inspired by Cyrus, were persuaded to
surrender.

[C.5] And now that his expedition was completed, Cyrus sent to Cyaxares
and urged him to come to the camp in order that they might decide best
how to use the forts which they had taken, and perhaps Cyaxares, after
reviewing the army, would advise him what the next move ought to be, or,
Cyrus added to the messenger, "if he bids me, say I will come to him
and take up my encampment there." [2] So the emissary went off with the
message, and meanwhile Cyrus gave orders that the Assyrian tent chosen
for Cyaxares should be furnished as splendidly as possible, and the
woman brought to her apartment th