Chapter LXX: Retreat of the Ten Thousand Greeks

Dismay of the Greeks on learning the death of Cyrus. Klearchus
offers the throne to Ariæus.—Artaxerxes summons the Greeks
to surrender—their reply—language of Phalinus.—Ariæus
refuses the throne, but invites the Greeks to join him
for retreat.—The Greeks rejoin Ariæus—interchange of
oaths—resolution to retreat together.—Position of the
Greeks—to all appearance hopeless.—Commencement of the
retreat, along with Ariæus—disorder of the army.—Heralds
from the Persians to treat about a truce.—The heralds
conduct the Greeks to villages furnished with provisions.
March over the canals.—Abundant supplies obtained in the
villages.—Visit of Tissaphernes—negotiations.—Convention
concluded with Tissaphernes, who engages to conduct the
Greeks home.—Motives of the Persians—favorable dispositions
of Parysatis towards Cyrus.—Long halt of the Greeks—their
quarrel with Ariæus.—Secret despair of Klearchus.—Retreating
march begun, under Tissaphernes—they enter within the Wall
of Media—march to Sittakê.—Alarm and suspicions of the
Greeks—they cross the Tigris.—Retreating march up the left bank
of the Tigris—to the Great Zab.—Suspicions between the Greeks
and Tissaphernes.—Klearchus converses with Tissaphernes—and
is talked over.—Klearchus, with the other Grecian generals,
visits Tissaphernes in his tent.—Tissaphernes seizes the
Greek generals. They are sent prisoners to the Persian court,
and there put to death.—Menon is reserved to perish in
torture—sentiments of queen Parysatis.—How Klearchus came
to be imposed upon.—Plans of Tissaphernes—impotence and
timidity of the Persians.—The Persians summon the Grecian army
to surrender.—Indignant refusal of the Greeks—distress and
despair prevalent among them.—First appearance of Xenophon—his
dream.—He stimulates the other captains to take the lead and
appoint new officers.—Address of Xenophon to the officers.
New generals are named, Xenophon being one.—The army is
convened in general assembly—speech of Xenophon.—Favorable
augury from a man sneezing.—Encouraging topics insisted on by
Xenophon.—Great impression produced by his speech—the army
confirm the new generals proposed.—Great ascendency acquired
over the army at once by Xenophon—qualities whereby he obtained
it.—Combination of eloquence and confidence, with soldier-like
resource and bravery.—Approach of the Persian Mithridates—the
Greeks refuse all parley.—The Greeks cross the Zab and resume
their march, harassed by the Persian cavalry.—Sufferings of
the Greeks from marching under the attacks of the cavalry.
Successful precautions taken.—Tissaphernes renews the attack,
with some effect.—Comfortable quarters of the Greeks. They
halt to repel the cavalry, and then march fast onward.—Victory
of the Greeks—prowess of Xenophon.—The Greeks embarrassed as
to their route—impossibility either of following the Tigris
farther, or of crossing it.—The strike into the mountains of the
Karduchians.—They burn much of their baggage—their sufferings
from the activity and energy of the Karduchians.—Extreme danger
of their situation.—Xenophon finds out another road to turn
the enemy’s position.—The Karduchians are defeated and the
road cleared.—Danger of Xenophon with the rear division and
baggage.—Anxiety of the Greeks to recover the bodies of the
slain.—They reach the river Kentritês, the northern boundary
of Karduchia.—Difficulties of passing the Kentritês—dream of
Xenophon.—They discover a ford and pass the river.—Xenophon
with the rear-guard repels the Karduchians and effects his
passage.—March through Armenia. Heavy snow and severe
cold.—They ford the Eastern Euphrates or Murad.—Distressing
marches—extreme misery from cold and hunger.—Rest in
good quarters—subterranean villages well stocked with
provisions.—After a week’s rest, they march onward—their
guide runs away.—They reach a difficult pass occupied by the
Chalybes—raillery exchanged between Xenophon and Cheirisophus
about stealing.—They turn the pass by a flank-march, and
force their way over the mountain.—March through the country
of the Taochi—exhaustion of provisions—capture of a
hill-fort.—Through the Chalybes, the bravest fighters whom
they had yet seen—the Skythini.—They reach the flourishing
city of Gymnias.—First sight of the sea from the mountain-top
Thêchê—extreme delight of the soldiers.—Passage through the
Makrônes.—Through the Kolchians—who oppose them and are
defeated.—Kolchian villages—unwholesome honey.—Arrival at
Trapezus on the Euxine (Trebizond).—Joy of the Greeks—their
discharge of vows to their gods—their festivals and
games.—Appendix. 52-120