Book 6
3.21
Now we have heard from you what it is of the first importance for us to learn. And you,Cyrus outlines his order of battle my men, must carry out the following programme: when you leave me, look at once to your own accoutrement and that of your horses; for often, for want of a trifle, man or horse or chariot becomes useless. And early to-morrow morning, during the time that I shall be sacrificing, first you must all breakfast, both men and horses, so that we may not fail in anything that it may be of importance for us to do in any exigency. And then do you, Arsamas, said he,...and you Chrysantas take charge of the right wing, as you always have done, and the rest of you brigadier-generals take the posts you now have. When the race is on, it is not the time for any chariot to change horses. So instruct your captains and lieutenants to form a line with each separate platoon two deep. Now each platoon contained twenty-four men.
3.22
And do you think, Cyrus, said one of the generals, that drawn up with lines so shallow we shall be a match for so deep a phalanx? When phalanxes are too deep to reach the enemy with weapons, answered Cyrus, how do you think they can either hurt their enemy or help their friends?
3.23
For my part, I would rather have theseHe explains the advantages of his plan hoplites who are arranged in columns a hundred deep drawn up ten thousand deep; for in that case we should have very few to fight against. According to the depth that I shall give my line of battle, I think I shall bring the entire line into action and make it everywhere mutually helpful.
