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false to the design of his expedition。 For it is evident from the very
event of the battle that none of those who were in array around the
king's person could have stood the shock of the Grecian charge； and
had they been beaten out of the field； and Artaxerxes either fled or
fallen； Cyrus would have gained by the victory； not only safety； but a
crown。 And； therefore； Clearchus by his caution must be considered
more to blame for the result in the destruction of the life and
fortune of Cyrus； than he by his heat and rashness。 For had the king
made it his business to discover a place； where having posted the
Grecians； he might encounter them with the least hazard； he would
never have found out any other but that which was most remote from
himself and those near him； of his defeat in which he was
insensible； and； though Clearchus had the victory； yet Cyrus could not
know of it； and could take no advantage of it before his fall。 Cyrus
knew well enough what was expedient to be done； and commanded
Clearchus with his men to take their place in the centre。 Clearchus
replied that he would take care to have all arranged as was best；
and then spoiled all。
For the Grecians； where they were； defeated the barbarians till they
were weary； and chased them successfully a very great way。 But Cyrus
being mounted upon a noble but a headstrong and hard…mouthed horse；
bearing the name； as Ctesias tells us； of Pasacas； Artagerses； the
leader of the Cadusians； galloped up to him； crying aloud； 〃O most
unjust and senseless of men； who are the disgrace of the honoured name
of Cyrus； are you come here leading the wicked Greeks on a wicked
journey； to plunder the good things of the Persians； and this with the
intent of slaying your lord and brother； the master of ten thousand
times ten thousand servants that are better men than you？ as you shall
see this instant； for you shall lose your head here； before you look
upon the face of the king。〃 Which when he had said； he cast his
javelin at him。 But his coat of mail stoutly repelled it； and Cyrus
was not wounded； yet the stroke falling heavy upon him； he reeled
under it。 Then Artagerses turning his horse； Cyrus threw his weapon；
and sent the head of it through his neck near the shoulder bone。 So
that it is almost universally agreed to by all the authors that
Artagerses was slain by him。
But as to the death of Cyrus； since Xenophon； as being himself no
eyewitness of it； has stated it simply and in few words； it may not be
amiss perhaps to run over on the one hand what Dinon； and on the
other； what Ctesias has said of it。
Dinon then affirms that； after the death of Artagerses； Cyrus；
furiously attacking the guard of Artaxerxes； wounded the king's horse；
and so dismounted him； and when Teribazus had quickly lifted him up
upon another； and said to him； 〃O king； remember this day； which is
not one to be forgotten；〃 Cyrus； again spurring up his horse； struck
down Artaxerxes。 But at the third assault the king being enraged；
and saying to those near him that death was more eligible； made up
to Cyrus； who furiously and blindly rushed in the face of the
weapons opposed to him。 So the king struck him with a javelin； as
likewise did those that were about him。 And thus Cyrus falls； as
some say； by the hand of the king； as others by the dart of a
Carian； to whom Artaxerxes for a reward of his achievement gave the
privilege of carrying ever after a golden cock upon his spear before
the first ranks of the army in all expeditions。 For the Persians
call the men of Caria cocks； because of the crests with which they
adorn their helmets。
But the account of Ctesias； to put it shortly； omitting many
details； is as follows： Cyrus； after the death of Artagerses； rode
up against the king； as he did against him； neither exchanging a
word with the other。 But Ariaeus； Cyrus's friend； was beforehand
with him； and darted first at the king； yet wounded him not。 Then
the king cast his lance at his brother； but missed him； though he both
hit and slew Satiphernes； a noble man and a faithful friend to
Cyrus。 Then Cyrus directed his lance against the king； and pierced his
breast with it quite through his armour； two inches deep； so that he
fell from his horse with the stroke。 At which those that attended
him being put to flight and disorder； he； rising with a few； among
whom was Ctesias； and making his way to a little hill not far off；
rested himself。 But Cyrus； who was in the thick enemy； was carried off
a great way by the wildness of his horse； the darkness which was now
coming on making it hard for them to know him； and for his followers
to find him。 However； being made elate with victory； and full of
confidence and force； he passed through them； crying out； and that
more than once； in the Persian language； 〃Clear the way； villains；
clear the way；〃 which they indeed did； throwing themselves down at his
feet。 But his tiara dropped off his head； and a young Persian； by name
Mithridates； running by； struck a dart into one of his temples near
his eye； not knowing who he was； out of which wound much blood gushed；
so that Cyrus； swooning and senseless； fell off his horse。 The horse
escaped； and ran about the field； but the companion of Mithridates
took the trappings which fell off； soaked with blood。 And as Cyrus
slowly began to come to himself； some eunuchs who were there tried
to put him on another horse； and so convey him safe away。 And when
he was not able to ride； and desired to walk on his feet； they led and
supported him； being indeed dizzy in the head and reeling； but
convinced of his being victorious； hearing； as he went； the
fugitives saluting Cyrus as king； and praying for grace and mercy。
In the meantime； some wretched； poverty…stricken Caunians； who in some
pitiful employment as camp followers had accompanied the king's
army； by chance joined these attendants of Cyrus； supposing them to be
of their own party。 But when； after a while； they made out that
their coats over their breastplates were red； whereas all the king's
people wore white ones； they knew that they were enemies。 One of them；
therefore； not dreaming that it was Cyrus； ventured to strike him
behind with a dart。 The vein under the knee was cut open； and Cyrus
fell； and at the same time struck his wounded temple against a
stone； and so died。 Thus runs Ctesias's account； tardily； with the
slowness of a blunt weapon effecting the victim's death。
When he was now dead； Artasyras； the king's eye； passed by on
horseback； and； having observed the eunuchs lamenting； he asked the
most trusty of them； 〃Who is this； Pariscas； whom you sit here
deploring？〃 He replied； 〃Do not you see； O Artasyras； that it is my
master； Cyrus？〃 Then Artasyras wondering； bade the eunuch be of good
cheer； and keep the dead body safe。 And going in all haste to
Artaxerxes； who had now given up all hope of his affairs； and was in
great suffering also with his thirst and his wound； he with much joy
assured him that he had seen Cyrus dead。 Upon this； at first； he set
out to go in person to the place； and commanded Artasyras to conduct
him where he lay。 But when there was a great noise made about the