Page:History of Greece Vol IX.djvu/52

 30 HISTORY OF GREECE. when the Cyreians arrived, was four stadia, or somewhat less than half an English mile, in breadth. Cyrus remained at Thapsakus five days. He was now compelled formally to make known to his soldiers the real object of the march, hitherto, in name at least, disguised. He accordingly sent for the Greek generals, and desired them to communicate publicly the fact, that he was on the advance to Babylon against his brother, which to themselves, probably, had been for some time well known. Among the soldiers, however, the first announcement excited loud murmurs, accompanied by accusation against the generals, of hav- ing betrayed them, in privity with Cyrus. But this outburst was very different to the strenuous repugnance which they had before manifested at Tarsus. Evidently they suspected, and had almost made up their minds to, the real truth ; so that their complaint was soon converted into a demand for a donation to each man, as soon as they should reach Babylon ; as much as that which Cyrus had given to his Grecian detachment on going up thither before. Cyrus willingly promised them five minae per head (about 19 5s.), equal to more than a year's pay, at the rate recently stipulated of a daric and a half per month. He engaged to give them, besides, the full rate of pay until they should have been sent back to the Ionian coast. Such ample offers satisfied the Greeks, and served to counterbalance at least, if not to efface, the terrors of that un- known region which they were about to tread. But before the general body of Greek soldiers had pronounced their formal acquiescence, Menon with his separate division was already in the water, crossing. For Menon had instigated his men to decide separately for themselves, and to execute their decision, before the others had given any answer. " By acting thus (said he) you will confer special obligation on Cyrus, and earn corre- sponding reward. If the others follow you across, he will suppose Karrhse in Northern Mesopotamia ; also from Seleukeia (on the Tigris below Bagdad) to the other cities founded in Northern Syria by Seleukus Nikator and his successors, Antioch on the Orontes, Seleukeia in Pieria, Laodikeia, Antioch ad Taurum, etc. The ford at Thapsakus (says Mr. Ainswo"th, p. 69, 70) " is celebrated to this day as the ford of the Anezeh or Beduins. On the right bank of tha Euphrates there are the remains of a paved causeway leading to the very banks of the river, and continued on the opposite side."