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