Cyropaedia

and when they were come together, he spoke as follows: My friends, these mountains which we see belong to Chaldaea; but if we should seize them and have a fort of our own built upon the summit, both parties—the Armenians, I mean, and the Chaldaeans—would have to behave with discretion toward us. Now, the sacrifices give us favourable omens; but, for the execution of our plan, nothing would be so strong an ally to human zeal as dispatch. For if we get up there before the enemy have time to come together, we may gain possession of the heights altogether without a battle, or we may at least find enemies few in number and without strength.

Of the tasks before us, therefore, none is[*](He hurls his army into the Chaldaean mountains) easier or less fraught with danger, said he, than now bravely to endure the strain of haste. Therefore, to arms! And.... You, Medes, march on our left; and you, Armenians, half keep to our right and half lead on in front; while you, cavalrymen, shall follow behind, to encourage and push us on upward; and if any one is inclined to show weakness, do not allow it.

With this command Cyrus brought his companies to ploy into column and took his place at their head. And when the Chaldaeans realized that the movement was directed toward the heights, they immediately gave the signal to their people, called to one another to assemble, and began to come together. And Cyrus gave command: Fellow-Persians, they are signalling us to hasten; for if we get up there first, the enemy’s efforts will be of no avail.