TOPOGEAPHY, EACES, EELIGIONS, LANGUAGES AND CUSTOMS. 49 



best of the Median horse, together with as many of his OAvn 

 friends as he thought propei", rode round and surveyed the 

 country, examining where he shoald build a fortress. Going 

 up to a certain eminence, he asked Tigranes what sort of 

 mountains they were from which the Chaldeans came down 

 to plunder the country ? Tigranes pointed them out to him. 

 He then inquired again, ' And are these mountains now 

 entirely deserted ? ' ' No, indeed,' said he, ' but there are 

 always scouts of the Chaldeans there, who give notice to the 

 rest of whatever they observe.' ' And how do they act ? ' 

 said he, ' when they receive this notice ? ' ' They hasten 

 with aid to the eminences, just as each can.' Cyrus gave 

 attention to this account ; and, looking round, observed a 

 great part of the Armenian territory lying desert and uncul- 

 tivated, in consequence of the war. They then retired to 

 the camp, and, after taking supper, went to rest." 



In the same chapter (clause 7) Xenophon relates thus with 

 reference to the Chaldeans and Armenians : — 



" The Chaldeans had each a shield and two javelins ; they 

 are said to be the most warlike of all people in that part of 

 the world. They serve as mercenaries, if any one requires 

 their services, being a warlike people and poor ; for their 

 country is mountainous, and but little of it yields anything 

 profitable. As Cyrus's men approached the heights, Tigranes, 

 who was riding on with Cyrus, said, ' Cyrus, are you aware 

 that Ave ourselves must very soon come to action, as the 

 Armenians will not stand the attack of the enemy ? ' Cyrus, 

 telling him that he knew it, immediately gave orders to the 

 Persians to hold themselves in readiness, as they would have 

 immediately to press forward, as soon as the flying Arme- 

 nians drew the enemy down* so as to be near them. The 

 Armenians accordingly led on, and such of the Chaldeans as 

 were on the spot when the Armenians approached, raised a 

 shout, and, according to their custom, ran upon them, and 

 the Armenians, according to their custom, did not stand 

 their charge. When the Chaldeans, pursuing, saw swords- 

 men fronting them, and pressing up the hill, some of them, 

 coming up close to the enemy, were at once killed; some 

 fled, and some were taken ; and the heights were imme- 

 diately gained. As soon as Cyrus's men were in occupation 

 of the summit, they looked down on the habitations of the 



* Cyrus disguises from his soldiers the want of courage in tlie 

 Armenians, by representing that they would flee designedly. [A note in 

 Cyroposdia, Book iii, ch. ii, cl. 8.--H. E.] 



E 



