Page:Xenophon by Alexander Grant.djvu/88

78 Xenophon was hospitably entertained by a Greek lady, who told him of a prize awaiting him in the person of one Asidates, a wealthy Persian, who resided in the neighbourhood. Finding the omens favourable, Xenophon set out after supper, taking only a select party of his friends, in order not to have to divide the booty among too many. But the country-house of the Persian was strongly fortified, and resisted the night attack. And at daybreak various troops in the pay of the Great King came to the rescue, and it was as much as the Greeks could do to fight their way back to their lines, with some slaves and cattle enclosed in a hollow square. The next day the unfortunate Asidates attempted to move off with his family and his goods, but Xenophon came down upon him with the whole Cyreian force, and carried him off with all that he possessed. Xenophon now exultingly says that "he had no complaint against Jupiter the Gracious." For the army placed at his disposal the pick of the spoil, so that he was "now even in a position to serve a friend."

This is the last incident recorded in the 'Anabasis.' To some it has appeared as a blot upon the character of Xenophon, but it might be remembered first, that the Greeks were actually at war with the Persians at this time; secondly, that the international morality of the day gave a general sanction to acts of the kind, when "barbarians" and not Greeks were the victims.

Under the above circumstances the parting of Xenophon from the army whose perils and vicissitudes of fortune he had shared for exactly two years