What the Greeks did in their ascent with Cyrus; what they did on their journey until they got to the sea, the Black Sea or Pontus; how they reached Trapezus, a Greek city; and how they sacrificed their offerings of thanks for their safety, the ones they had vowed to sacrifice in the very first place where they reached a friendly land, has been made clear in the foregoing account.
After this they came together and deliberated about the rest of their journey. Leon, a Thurian, stood up fi rst, and he spoke as follows: “I, for my part, men,” he said, “am by now tired of this packing up, walking, running, bearing heavy arms, marching in order, standing guard, and fi ghting; and I now desire to cease from these labors, since we have the sea, to sail the rest of the way stretched out like Odysseus, and to arrive in Greece.” Hearing this, the soldiers shouted out that he spoke well. And another said the same thing, and all those present did so as well. Then Cheirisophus rose and spoke as follows: “Anaxibius is a friend of mine, men, and he chances to be admiral. So if you send me, I think I would come back with triremes and ships to carry us. If you wish to sail, wait until I come back, and I will return quickly.” On hearing this, the soldiers were pleased, and they voted for him to set sail as quickly at possible.
After this, Xenophon rose and spoke as follows: “So Cheirisophus is sett ing out for ships, and we will wait. I am going to what seems to me opportune to do during this period of waiting. First, we need to provide provisions from a hostile land; for neither is there a suffi cient market from which to purchase nor are there suffi cient means with which to purchase, except for a few. The land is hostile, so if you march out for provisions carelessly and off your guard, there is a danger that many will perish. It seems to me we should get our provisions in foraging parties and not wander about at random, so that you may stay safe, and we [generals] should be in charge of this.” These measures were adopted.
“Then hear also the following: some of you will go out after plunder. I think it best that whoever is about to go out tell us, and that he also state where he is going, so that we may know the number of those who go out and of those who remain behind, and so that we may join in the preparations, if there should be some need; and so that, if it is opportune to go and help anyone, we may know where it is necessary to go help, and if someone who is inexperienced attempts something somewhere, we may provide counsel by trying to know the force against which they are going.” These measures were also adopted.
Cyrus Seeks Advice from Socrates of His March
