B.C. 395. With the fall of the year Agesilaus reached Phrygia — the Phrygia of Pharnabazus — and proceeded to burn and harry1 the district. City after city was taken, some by force and some by voluntary surrender. To a proposal of Spithridates to lead him into Paphlagonia,233 where he would introduce the king of the country to him in conference and obtain his alliance, he readily acceded2. It was a long-cherished ambition of Agesilaus to alienate3 some one of the subject nations from the Persian monarch4, and he pushed forward eagerly.
On his arrival in Paphlagonia, King Otys234 came, and an alliance was made. (The fact was, he had been summoned by the king to Susa and had not gone up.) More than that, through the persuasion5 of Spithridates he left behind as a parting gift to Agesilaus one thousand cavalry6 and a couple of thousand peltasts. Agesilaus was anxious in some way to show his gratitude7 to Spithridates for such help, and spoke8 as follows:—“Tell me,” he said to Spithridates, “would you not like to give your daughter to King Otys?” “Much more would I like to give her,” he answered, “than he to take her — I an outcast wanderer, and he lord of a vast territory and forces.” Nothing more was said at the time about the marriage; but when Otys was on the point of departure and came to bid farewell, Agesilaus, having taken care that Spithridates should be out of the way, in the presence of the Thirty broached9 the subject:235 “Can you tell me, Otys, to what sort of family Spithridates belongs?” “To one of the noblest in Persia,” replied the king. Agesilaus: “Have you observed how beautiful his son is?” Otys: “To be sure; last evening I was supping with him.” Agesilaus: “And they tell me his daughter is yet more beautiful.” Otys: “That may well be; beautiful she is.” Agesilaus: “For my part, as you have proved so good a friend to us, I should like to advise you to take this girl to wife. Not only is she very beautiful — and what more should a husband ask for?— but her father is of noble family, and has a force at his back large enough to retaliate10 on Pharnabazus for an injury. He has made the satrap, as you see, a fugitive11 and a vagabond in his own vast territory. I need not tell you,” he added, “that a man who can so chastise12 an enemy is well able to benefit a friend; and of this be assured: by such an alliance you will gain not the connection of Spithridates alone, but of myself and the Lacedaemonians, and, as we are the leaders of Hellas, of the rest of Hellas also. And what a wedding yours will be! Were ever nuptials14 celebrated15 on so grand a scale before? Was ever bride led home by such an escort of cavalry and light-armed troops and heavy infantry16, as shall escort your wife home to your palace?” Otys asked: “Is Spithridates of one mind with you in this proposal?” and Agesilaus answered: “In good sooth he did not bid me make it for him. And for my own part in the matter, though it is, I admit, a rare pleasure to requite17 an enemy, yet I had far rather at any time discover some good fortune for my friends.” Otys: “Why not ask if your project pleases Spithridates too?” Then Agesilaus, turning to Herippidas and the rest of the Thirty, bade them go to Spithridates; “and give him such good instruction,” he added, “that he shall wish what we wish.” The Thirty rose and retired18 to administer their lesson. But they seemed to tarry a long time, and Agesilaus asked: “What say you, King Otys — shall we summon him hither ourselves? You, I feel certain, are better able to persuade him than the whole Thirty put together.” Thereupon Agesilaus summoned Spithridates and the others. As they came forward, Herippidas promptly19 delivered himself thus: “I spare you the details, Agesilaus. To make a long story short, Spithridates says, ‘He will be glad to do whatever pleases you.’” Then Agesilaus, turning first to one and then to the other: “What pleases me,” said he, “is that you should wed13 a daughter — and you a wife — so happily.236 But,” he added, “I do not see how we can well bring home the bride by land till spring.” “No, not by land,” the suitor answered, “but you might, if you chose, conduct her home at once by sea.” Thereupon they exchanged pledges to ratify20 the compact; and so sent Otys rejoicing on his way.
Agesilaus, who had not failed to note the king’s impatience21, at once fitted out a ship of war and gave orders to Callias, a Lacedaemonian, to escort the maiden22 to her new home; after which he himself began his march on Dascylium. Here was the palace of Pharnabazus. It lay in the midst of abundant supplies. Here, too, were most fair hunting grounds, offering the hunter choice between enclosed parks237 and a wide expanse of field and fell; and all around there flowed a river full of fish of every sort; and for the sportsman versed23 in fowling24, winged game in abundance.
In these quarters the Spartan25 king passed the winter, collecting supplies for the army either on the spot or by a system of forage26. On one of these occasions the troops, who had grown reckless and scornful of the enemy through long immunity27 from attack, whilst engaged in collecting supplies were scattered28 over the flat country, when Pharnabazus fell upon them with two scythe-chariots and about four hundred horse. Seeing him thus advancing, the Hellenes ran together, mustering29 possibly seven hundred men. The Persian did not hesitate, but placing his chariots in front, supported by himself and the cavalry, he gave the command to charge. The scythe-chariots charged and scattered the compact mass, and speedily the cavalry had laid low in the dust about a hundred men, while the rest retreated hastily, under cover of Agesilaus and his hoplites, who were fortunately near.
It was the third or fourth day after this that Spithridates made a discovery: Pharnabazus lay encamped in Caue, a large village not more than eighteen miles238 away. This news he lost no time in reporting to Herippidas. The latter, who was longing30 for some brilliant explout, begged Agesilaus to furnish him with two thousand hoplites, an equal number of peltasts, and some cavalry — the latter to consist of the horsemen of Spithridates, the Paphlagonians, and as many Hellene troopers as he might perchance persuade to follow him. Having got the promise of them from Agesilaus, he proceeded to take the auspices31. Towards late afternoon he obtained favourable32 omens33 and broke off the sacrifice. Thereupon he ordered the troops to get their evening meal, after which they were to present themselves in front of the camp. But by the time darkness had closed in, not one half of them had come out. To abandon the project was to call down the ridicule34 of the rest of the Thirty. So he set out with the force to hand, and about daylight, falling on the camp of Pharnabazus, put many of his advanced guard of Mysians to the sword. The men themselves made good their escape in different directions, but the camp was taken, and with it divers35 goblets36 and other gear such as a man like Pharnabazus would have, not to speak of much baggage and many baggage animals. It was the dread37 of being surrounded and besieged38, if he should establish himself for long at any one spot, which induced Pharnabazus to flee in gipsy fashion from point to point over the country, carefully obliterating39 his encampments. Now as the Paphlagonians and Spithridates brought back the captured property, they were met by Herippidas with his brigadiers and captains, who stopped them and239 relieved them of all they had; the object being to have as large a list as possible of captures to deliver over to the officers who superintended the sale of booty.240 This treatment the Asiatics found intolerable. They deemed themselves at once injured and insulted, got their kit40 together in the night, and made off in the direction of Sardis to join Ariaeus without mistrust, seeing that he too had revolted and gone to war with the king. On Agesilaus himself no heavier blow fell during the whole campaign than the desertion of Spithridates and Megabates and the Paphlagonians.
Now there was a certain man of Cyzicus, Apollophanes by name; he was an old friend of Pharnabazus, and at this time had become a friend also of Agesilaus.241 This man informed Agesilaus that he thought he could bring about a meeting between him and Pharnabazus, which might tend to friendship; and having so got ear of him, he obtained pledges of good faith between his two friends, and presented himself with Pharnabazus at the trysting-place, where Agesilaus with the Thirty around him awaited their coming, reclined upon a grassy41 sward. Pharnabazus presently arrived clad in costliest42 apparel; but just as his attendants were about to spread at his feet the carpets on which the Persians delicately seat themselves, he was touched with a sense of shame at his own luxury in sight of the simplicity43 of Agesilaus, and he also without further ceremony seated himself on the bare ground. And first the two bade one another hail, and then Pharnabazus stretched out his right hand and Agesilaus his to meet him, and the conversation began. Pharnabazus, as the elder of the two, spoke first. “Agesilaus,” he said, “and all you Lacedaemonians here present, while you were at war with the Athenians I was your friend and ally; it was I who furnished the wealth that made your navy strong on sea; on land I fought on horseback by your side, and pursued your enemies into the sea.242 As to duplicity like that of Tissaphernes, I challenge you to accuse me of having played you false by word or deed. Such have I ever been; and in return how am I treated by yourselves today?— in such sort that I cannot even sup in my own country unless, like the wild animals, I pick up the scraps44 you chance to leave. The beautiful palaces which my father left me as an heirloom, the parks243 full of trees and beasts of the chase in which my heart rejoiced, lie before my eyes hacked45 to pieces, burnt to ashes. Maybe I do not comprehend the first principles of justice and holiness; do you then explain to me how all this resembles the conduct of men who know how to repay a simple debt of gratitude.” He ceased, and the Thirty were ashamed before him and kept silence.244
At length, after some pause, Agesilaus spoke. “I think you are aware,” he said, “Pharnabazus, that within the states of Hellas the folk of one community contract relations of friendship and hospitality with one another;245 but if these states should go to war, then each man will side with his fatherland, and friend will find himself pitted against friend in the field of battle, and, if it so betide, the one may even deal the other his death-blow. So too we today, being at war with your sovereign lord the king, must needs regard as our enemy all that he calls his; not but that with yourself personally we should esteem46 it our high fortune to be friends. If indeed it were merely an exchange of service — were you asked to give up your lord the king and to take us as your masters in his stead, I could not so advise you; but the fact is, by joining with us it is in your power today to bow your head to no man, to call no man master, to reap the produce of your own domain47 in freedom — freedom, which to my mind is more precious than all riches. Not that we bid you to become a beggar for the sake of freedom, but rather to use our friendship to increase not the king’s authority, but your own, by subduing48 those who are your fellow-slaves today, and who tomorrow shall be your willing subjects. Well, then, freedom given and wealth added — what more would you desire to fill the cup of happiness to overflowing49?” Pharnabazus replied: “Shall I tell you plainly what I will do?” “That were but kind and courteous50 on your part,” he answered. “Thus it stands with me, then,” said Pharnabazus. “If the king should send another general, and if he should wish to rank me under this new man’s orders, I, for my part, am willing to accept your friendship and alliance; but if he offers me the supreme51 command — why, then, I plainly tell you, there is a certain something in the very name ambition which whispers me that I shall war against you to the best of my ability.”246 When he heard that, Agesilaus seized the satrap’s hand, exclaiming: “Ah, best of mortals, may the day arrive which sends us such a friend! Of one thing rest assured. This instant I leave your territory with what haste I may, and for the future — even in case of war — as long as we can find foes52 elsewhere our hands shall hold aloof53 from you and yours.”
And with these words he broke up the meeting. Pharnabazus mounted his horse and rode away, but his son by Parapita, who was still in the bloom of youth, lingered behind; then, running up to Agesilaus, he exclaimed: “See, I choose you as my friend.” “And I accept you,” replied the king. “Remember, then,” the lad answered, and with the word presented the beautiful javelin54 in his hand to Agesilaus, who received it, and unclasping a splendid trapping247 which his secretary, Idaeus, had round the neck of his charger, he gave it in return to the youth; whereupon the boy leapt on his horse’s back and galloped55 after his father.248 At a later date, during the absence of Pharnabazus abroad, this same youth, the son of Parapita, was deprived of the government by his brother and driven into exile. Then Agesilaus took great interest in him, and as he had a strong attachment56 to the son of Eualces, an Athenian, Agesilaus did all he could to have this friend of his, who was the tallest of the boys, admitted to the two hundred yards race at Olympia.
B.C. 394. But to return to the actual moment. Agesilaus was as good as his word, and at once marched out of the territory of Pharnabazus. The season verged57 on spring. Reaching the plain of Thebe,249 he encamped in the neighbourhood of the temple of Artemis of Astyra,250 and there employed himself in collecting troops from every side, in addition to those which he already had, so as to form a complete armament. These preparations were pressed forward with a view to penetrating58 as far as possible into the interior. He was persuaded that every tribe or nation placed in his rear might be considered as alienated59 from the king.
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harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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acceded
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| v.（正式）加入( accede的过去式和过去分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
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alienate
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| vt.使疏远，离间；转让(财产等) | |
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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broached
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| v.谈起( broach的过去式和过去分词 )；打开并开始用；用凿子扩大（或修光）；（在桶上）钻孔取液体 | |
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retaliate
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| v.报复，反击 | |
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fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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chastise
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| vt.责骂，严惩 | |
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wed
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| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
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nuptials
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| n.婚礼；婚礼( nuptial的名词复数 ) | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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requite
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| v.报酬，报答 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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ratify
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| v.批准，认可，追认 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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versed
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| adj. 精通，熟练 | |
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fowling
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| 捕鸟，打鸟 | |
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spartan
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| adj.简朴的，刻苦的；n.斯巴达；斯巴达式的人 | |
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forage
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| n.(牛马的)饲料，粮草；v.搜寻，翻寻 | |
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immunity
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| n.优惠；免除；豁免，豁免权 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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mustering
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的现在分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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auspices
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| n.资助，赞助 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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omens
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| n.前兆，预兆( omen的名词复数 ) | |
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ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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goblets
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| n.高脚酒杯( goblet的名词复数 ) | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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obliterating
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| v.除去( obliterate的现在分词 )；涂去；擦掉；彻底破坏或毁灭 | |
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kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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costliest
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| adj.昂贵的( costly的最高级 )；代价高的；引起困难的；造成损失的 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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hacked
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| 生气 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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subduing
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| 征服( subdue的现在分词 )； 克制； 制服； 色变暗 | |
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overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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52
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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javelin
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| n.标枪，投枪 | |
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galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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verged
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| 接近，逼近（verge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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alienated
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| adj.感到孤独的，不合群的v.使疏远( alienate的过去式和过去分词 )；使不友好；转让；让渡（财产等） | |
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