Syene was now closely blockaded, and on every side, as with a net,
invested by the Ethiopian army.
Oroondates, as soon as he was informed of the design and sudden
approach of the enemy (who, having passed the cataracts, were pressing
towards the place), using the utmost diligence and expedition, had
contrived to throw himself into the city before their arrival; and
after planting his engines and artillery upon the walls, awaited the
attack, and made every preparation for a vigorous defence.
Hydaspes, the king of Ethiopia, though he was deceived in the hope
of surprising the town before they had any notice of his approach,
invested it, however, on all sides, and surrounding it with a line of
circumvallation, made for the present no attack, but sat down quietly
before it, filling and exhausting the plains of Syene with myriads
of men, beasts, and cattle. Here the party which has been mentioned
brought their captives into his presence.
He was delighted at the sight of the young people; his soul, by a
secret prescient movement, of which he knew not the cause, inclining
towards his children. He thought this too an omen of victory, and
joyfully exclaimed--"See! the gods, as our first spoils, deliver up
to us our enemies in bonds. Let these then, as our first captives, be
carefully preserved for our triumphant sacrifices to be offered, as the
customs of Ethiopia require, to the gods of our country, when we shall
have subdued our foes." And having praised and rewarded the captors,
he sent them, together with their prisoners, to the rear of the army,
ordering the latter to be kept under a guard (many of whom understood
their language), to be treated, attended, and provided for in the most
careful and splendid manner, and especially to be preserved from all
contamination, as destined to be sacred victims. He directed their
iron chains to be taken off, and fetters of gold to be put on in their
room--for this metal is used by the Ethiopians in the way in which
other nations use iron. His commands were obeyed; and the lovers, when
they saw their first chains taken off, began to entertain hopes of
liberty, which were soon crushed by the appearance and application of
the golden ones.
Theagenes could not forbear smiling, and exclaimed--"Here is, indeed,
a splendid mutation of fortune; the goddess is very kind to us, and
changes our iron for gold: enriched by our fetters, we are become
prisoners of high price."
Chariclea smiled at this sally, and tried to keep up his spirits,
insisting that the more favourable predictions of the gods were
beginning to be fulfilled, and endeavouring to soothe his mind with
better hopes.
Hydaspes, who had flattered himself that he should take Syene at his
first appearance, without opposition, being very nearly repulsed by the
garrison, defending themselves bravely, irritated besides by insulting
speeches, determined no longer to continue the blockade, by which, the
city might at last be taken, to the destruction of some and the escape
of others: but, by a new and unusual way of assault, to involve the
town, and its defenders, in one common and universal ruin.
His plan of attack was this: he described a circle round the walls,
which he divided into portions of ten cubits each, assigning ten men to
every division, and ordering them to dig a wide and deep ditch. They
dug it accordingly, while others, with the earth they threw out, raised
a mound or wall parallel with, and nearly equal in height, to that of
the place which they were besieging. The garrison made no attempt to
hinder these operations--the besieging army was so numerous, that they
durst not venture on a sally--and the works were carried on at such a
distance from the walls, as to be out of the reach of their missile
weapons.
When he had completed this part of his plan, with wonderful dispatch,
owing to the multitude of men employed in it, and the diligence with
which he urged on their labours, he proceeded to execute another work.
He left a part of the circle, to the space of about fifty feet, plain
and unfilled up. From each extremity of the ditch above described, he
extended a long mound down to the Nile, raising it higher and higher
as it approached the river. It had the appearance of two long walls,
preserving all the way the breadth of fifty feet.
When he had carried on his lines so that they joined the river, he cut
a passage for it, and poured its waters into the channel, which he had
provided for them. They, rushing from higher into lower ground, and
from the vast width of the Nile into the narrow channel, and confined
by the mounds on each side, thundered through the passage and channel
with a noise and impetuosity that might be heard at a great distance.
The fearful sight and sound struck the ears and met the eyes of the
astonished inhabitants of Syene. They saw the alarming circumstances in
which they were, and that the view of the besiegers was, to overwhelm
them with the waters. The trenches which surrounded, and the inundation
which was now fast approaching, prevented their escaping out of the
city, and it was impossible for them to remain long in it, without the
extremest danger; they took measures, therefore, as well as they were
able, for their own protection.
In the first place, they filled up and secured every opening and
crevice in the gates with pitch and tow; then they propped and
strengthened the walls with earth, stones, and wood, heaping up against
them anything which was at hand. Every one was employed; women,
children, and old men; for no age, no sex, ever refuses labour when it
is for the preservation of their lives. They who were best able to bear
fatigue were employed in digging a subterraneous and narrow passage,
from the city to the enemy's mound, which work was thus conducted:
They first sunk a shaft near the walls, to the depth of five cubits;
and when they had dug it below the foundations, they carried their mine
on forwards towards the bulwarks with which they were inclosed, working
by torchlight; those who were behind receiving, in regular order, the
earth thrown out from those who were before, and depositing it at
length in a vacant place in the city, formerly occupied by gardens,
where they raised it into a heap.
Their intention in these operations, was to give some vent and outlet
to the waters, in case they should reach the city; but the approach
of the calamities which threatened them was too speedy for their
endeavours to prevent it. The Nile, rolling through the channel which
had been prepared for it, soon reached the trench, overflowed it
everywhere, and formed a lake of the whole space between the dyke and
the walls; so that an inland town seemed like an island in the midst of
the sea, beaten and dashed against on all sides by the waves.
At first, and for the space of a day, the strength of the walls
resisted; but the continued pressure of the waters, which were now
raised to a great height, and penetrated deeply into an earth black and
slimy, which was cleft in many places, from the summer's heat, sensibly
undermined the walls; the bottom yielded to the pressure of the top,
and wherever, owing to the fissures in the ground, a settlement took
place, there the walls began to totter in several places, menacing a
downfall, while they who should have defended the towers were driven
from their stations by the oscillation.
Towards evening a considerable portion of the wall between the towers
fell down; not so much, however, as to be even with the ground, and
afford a passage to the waters, for it was still about five cubits
above them; but now the danger of an inundation was imminent and most
alarming.
At this sight a general cry of horror and dismay arose in the city,
which might be heard even in the enemy's camp--the wretched inhabitants
stretched out their hands to the gods, in whom only they had hope,
and besought Oroondates to send deputies with offers of submission to
Hydaspes. He, reduced to be the slave of Fortune, unwillingly listened
to their entreaties; but he was entirely surrounded with water, and
it being out of his power to send an officer to the enemy, he was
reduced by necessity to this contrivance--he wrote down the purport
of their wishes, tied it to a stone, and endeavoured, by means of a
sling, to make it serve the purpose of a messenger by traversing the
waters; but his design was disappointed; the stone fell short, and
dropped into the water before it reached the other side. He repeated
the experiment several times. The archers and slingers strained every
nerve to accomplish that upon which they thought their safety and
life depended; but still without success. At length, stretching out
their hands to the enemy, who stood on their works spectators of their
distress, the miserable citizens implored their compassion by the most
piteous gestures, and endeavoured to signify what was meant by their
ineffectual stones and arrows--now clasping their hands together, and
holding them forwards in a suppliant manner--now putting their arms
behind their backs, in token that they submitted to servitude.
Hydaspes understood their signs, and was ready to receive their
submission--for great minds are easily inclined to clemency by the
sight of a prostrate enemy--but he was desirous first to make trial of
their intentions.
He had already prepared some river-craft, which floating down the Nile,
were drawn up near the mound: he chose ten of these, and filling them
with archers, he ordered them what to say to the Persians, and sent
them towards the city. They set out well prepared to defend themselves,
in case the enemy should attempt anything against them.
This passage of a vessel, from wall to wall, presented a novel
sight--mariners sailing over an inland country and cultivated plains:
war, which is wont to produce strange spectacles, seldom, perhaps,
afforded a more uncommon one than this--a navy proceeding against a
town, and sailors, in boats, engaged with soldiers upon the walls.
Those in the city observed the boats making for the part of the
wall which had fallen down, and their spirits being sunk with their
misfortunes, surrounded as they were with perils, they began to suspect
and dread the designs of those who were coming for their preservation:
for, in such extremity of danger, everything is a cause of suspicion
and of fear.[1] They began, therefore, to cast their darts and to shoot
their arrows towards those who were in the boats: for men, who despair
of safety, think even the shortest delay of destruction as so much
gained. They flung their weapons, however, in such a manner as not to
inflict wounds, but only to hinder the approach of the enemy.
The Ethiopians returned the attack more in earnest, not knowing the
intentions of the Persians: they wounded several of those who were upon
the ramparts, some of whom tumbled over into the water. The engagement
was proceeding with greater warmth, one party endeavouring merely to
repulse; the other to attack, when an old man, of great authority
among the Syenæans, who stood upon the wall, thus addressed his
fellow-citizens:
"Infatuated men! your distresses seems to have taken away your senses.
You have encouraged and besought the Ethiopians to come to your
assistance; and now, when they are, beyond all your hopes, arrived,
you do everything in your power to drive them away again. If they come
with friendly intentions, and bring conditions of peace, they are your
preservers; if they have hostile designs, you need not fear their
landing; we are so numerous, that we shall easily overpower them. But
if we were to destroy all these, what would it avail us, surrounded as
we are by such a cloud of enemies both by land and water? Let us then
receive them, and see what is their business here."
This speech was received with approbation, both by the people and the
Viceroy; and withdrawing from the breached portion of the wall, they
stood motionless with their arms.
When the space between the walls was thus cleared, the inhabitants
signed to the Ethiopians that they might freely approach: they
advanced, therefore, and when near enough, they from their boats
addressed the besieged multitude as follows:
"Persians! and inhabitants of Syene! Hydaspes, King of the Eastern and
Western Ethiopia, and now your sovereign also, knows how to subdue his
enemies, and to spare those who supplicate his mercy--the one belongs
to valour, the other to humanity: the merit of the former belongs
chiefly to his soldiers; that of the latter is entirely his own.
Your safety or destruction is now in his hands; but since you throw
yourselves on his compassion, he releases you from the impending and
unavoidable dangers which encompass you. He does not himself name the
conditions of your deliverance, but leaves them to you to propose;
he has no desire to tyrannize over justice--he wishes to treat the
fortunes of men with equity."
To this address the inhabitants of Syene replied,--"That they threw
themselves, their wives and children, upon the mercy of the Ethiopian
prince, and were ready to surrender their city (if they were spared),
which was now in such sore distress, that unless some god, or Hydaspes
himself, very speedily interposed, there were no hopes of its
preservation."
Oroondates added,--"That he was ready to yield up, and put into their
hands, both the cause of the war, and its prizes--the city of Philœ,
and the emerald mines: in return, he required that neither he nor his
soldiers should be made prisoners of war, but that Hydaspes, as a
crowning act of generosity, would permit them to retire to Elephantine
upon condition of their doing injury to no one: as to himself, it was
indifferent to him whether he laid down his life now, or perished
hereafter, by the sentence of his master, for having lost his army; the
latter alternative would indeed be the worst, for now he would undergo
a common, and possibly, an easy kind of death; in the other case, he
would have to suffer the refinements of cruelty and torture. He also
requested them to receive two of his Persians into their boats, that
they might proceed to Elephantine, professing that if they found the
garrison of that city disposed to surrender to the Ethiopians, he would
no longer delay to follow their example."
The delegates complied with his request; took the Persians on board,
returned to the camp, and informed Hydaspes of the result of their
embassy.
Hydaspes smiled at the infatuation of Oroondates, who was insisting
upon terms, while his very existence hung upon another's will. "It
would be foolish, however," said he, "to let so many suffer for the
stupidity of one." Accordingly he permitted those whom the Viceroy had
sent to proceed to Elephantine; little regarding whether the troops
there yielded or resisted. He ordered his men to close up the breach
which they had made in the banks of the Nile, and to make another in
those of the mound or wall; so that the river being prevented from
flowing in at one opening and the stagnant water retiring apace out of
the other, the space between his camp and Syene might soon be dry, and
practicable for his soldiers to march over.
His commands were executed. His men made a beginning of the work, but
night coming on deferred its completion till the next day. Meantime
they who were in the city omitted nothing which might contribute to
their preservation, not despairing of preservation, though it appeared
almost beyond hope.
Some carried on their mine, which they now supposed must approach near
the enemy's mound; having computed, as well as they could, by means of
a rope, the interval between that and their own walls. Others repaired
the wall which had fallen down, working by torchlight, readily finding
materials from the stones which had fallen inwards. They had, as they
thought, tolerably well secured themselves for the present; but were
destined to have a new alarm; in the middle of the night, a portion
of the mound, in that part where the enemy had been digging on the
preceding day, suddenly gave way. This was caused either by the earth
which formed the foundation being moist and porous, or by the mining
party having sapped the ground above them, or by the ever-increasing
body of water widening the narrow breach, or perhaps it might be
ascribed to divine interposition. So tremendous was the noise and the
report, that the besiegers and besieged, though ignorant of the cause,
imagined a great part of the city wall to have been carried away;
but the Ethiopians, feeling themselves safe in their tents, deferred
satisfying their curiosity till the morning.
The inhabitants of Syene, on the contrary, were, with reason, more
solicitous; they immediately examined every portion of their walls, and
each finding all safe in his own vicinity, concluded that the accident
had happened in some other part. The approach of daylight cleared up
all their doubts; the breach in the mound, and the retreat of the
waters, being then visible.
And now the Ethiopians dammed up the breach in the river's bank, by
fixing planks, supported by strong wooden piles, strengthening them
still more with a quantity of earth and fascines, taken partly from the
banks and partly brought in boats, thousands labouring at the work. In
this way the water was got rid of. The space, however, between the camp
and the town was, as yet, by no means passable, being very deep in mud
and dirt; and though it was in some places apparently dry ground, the
surface was thin, and treacherous for the feet either of horses or men.
Thus passed two or three days. The Syenæans opened their gates, and
the Ethiopians discontinued all hostile movements; the truce, however,
was carried on without any intercourse between the parties. Guards on
either side were discontinued; and they in the city gave themselves up
to pleasure and enjoyment.
It happened that this was the season for celebrating the overflowing
of the Nile; a very solemn festival among the Egyptians. It falls out
about the time of the summer solstice, when the river first begins to
swell, and is observed with great devotion throughout the country; for
the Egyptians deify the Nile, making him one of their principal gods;
and equalling him to heaven; because they say, that without clouds
or rain he annually waters and fertilizes their fields; this is the
opinion of the vulgar. They consider it a proof of his divinity, that
the union of moist and dry being the principal cause of animal life,
he supplies the former, the earth the latter quality (admitting also
the existence of other elements.) These opinions are promulgated among
the vulgar, but they who have been initiated in the mysteries, call
the earth Isis,[2] the river Osiris, substituting words for things.
The goddess, they say, rejoices when the god makes his appearance upon
the plains, and grieves proportionably when he is absent, feeling
indignation against his enemy, Typho.[3]
The cause of this is, I imagine, that men skilled in divine and human
knowledge, have not chosen to disclose to the vulgar the hidden
significations contained under these natural appearances, but veil them
under fables; being however ready to reveal them in a proper place,
and with due ceremonies, to those who are desirous and worthy of being
initiated.[4] So much I may be allowed to say with permission of the
deity, preserving a reverential silence as to what relates to more
mystic matters.
I return now to the course of my story. The inhabitants of Syene
were employed in celebrating their festival with sacrifices and other
ceremonies; their bodies, indeed, worn with labour and suffering,
but their minds filled with devotion towards their deity, whom they
honoured as best their present circumstances would permit.
Oroondates, taking the opportunity of the dead of night, when the
citizens, after their fatigues and rejoicings, were plunged in sleep,
and having beforehand secretly acquainted his Persian soldiers with his
intentions, and appointed them the particular hour and gate at which
they were to assemble, led them out of their quarters.
An order had been issued to every corporal[5] to leave the horses and
beasts of burden behind, that they might have no impediment on their
march, nor give any intimation of their design, by the tumult which the
mustering them would cause. Orders were given to take their arms alone,
and, together with them, a beam or plank.
As soon as they were assembled at the appointed gate, they proceeded
to lay their planks across the mud, (close to one another) which were
successively passed from hand to hand, by those behind, to those in
front. They passed over them, as by a bridge, and the whole body
reached, without accident, the firm land.
They found the Ethiopians sleeping in security, without watch or
guard; and passing by them unperceived Oroondates led his men with all
possible speed to Elephantine. He was readily received into the city
by means of the two Persians whom he had sent before, and who, having
watched, night after night, caused the gates to be opened upon the
concerted watch-word being given.
When day began to dawn, the inhabitants of Syene were aware of the
flight of their defenders. Every one missed the Persian whom he had
lodged in his house, and the sight of the planks laid over the mud,
confirmed them in their suspicions, and explained the manner of it.
They were thrown into great consternation at this discovery; expecting,
with reason, a severe punishment, as for a second offence, fearing
they should be thought to have abused the clemency of their conqueror,
and to have connived at the escape of the Persians. They determined
therefore, after some consultation, to go out of the city in a body,
to deliver themselves up to Hydaspes, to attest their innocence with
oaths, and implore his mercy. Collecting together then all ranks and
ages, with the air of suppliants, they marched in procession, over
the bridge of planks. Some carried boughs of trees, others tapers and
torches, the sacred ensigns and images of their gods preceding them as
messengers of peace.
When they approached the camp of the Ethiopians, they fell down on
their knees, raising, as with one consent, a plaintive and mournful
cry; and deprecating, by the most humble gestures, the victor's wrath.
They laid their infants on the ground before them, seemingly leaving
them to wander whither chance might lead; intending to pacify the wrath
of the Ethiopians by the sight of their innocent and guiltless age.
The poor children, frightened at the behaviour and outcries of their
parents, crept (some of them) towards the adverse army; and with their
tottering steps and wailing voices, presented an affecting scene,
Fortune, as it were, converting them into instruments of supplication.
Hydaspes observing this uncommon spectacle, and conceiving that they
were reiterating their former entreaties and imploring pardon for their
crime, sent to know what they meant, and why they came alone, and
without the Persians.
They related all which had happened--the flight of the Persians, their
own entire ignorance of it,--the festival they had been celebrating,
and the opportunity secretly taken by the garrison to leave them,
when they were buried in sleep, after their feastings and fatigues;
although, had they been awake, and had they seen them, it would have
been out of their power, unarmed as they were, to hinder the retreat of
men in arms.
Hydaspes from this relation suspected, as was really the case, that
Oroondates had some secret design and stratagem against him; summoning
the Egyptian priests therefore, and for the sake of greater solemnity,
adoring the images of the gods which they carried with them, he
inquired if they could give him any further information about the
Persians. He asked whither they were gone, and what were their hopes
and intentions. They replied, "That they were ignorant of their
schemes; but supposed them to be gone to Elephantine," where the
principal part of the army was assembled, Oroondates placing his chief
confidence in his barbed cavalry. They concluded by beseeching him, if
he had conceived any resentment against them to lay it aside, and to
enter their city, as if it were his own.
Hydaspes did not choose to make his entry for the present, but sent two
troops of soldiers to search every place where he suspected an ambush
might be laid; if they found nothing of that sort, destining them as a
garrison for the city. He dismissed the inhabitants of it with kindness
and gracious promises, and drew out his army ready to receive the
attack of the Persians, should they advance; or, to march against them
himself if they delayed.
His troops were hardly formed in order of march when his scouts
informed him that the Persians were advancing towards him to give
battle: Oroondates had assembled an army at Elephantine, just at the
time when as we have seen, he was forced, by the sudden approach of
the Ethiopians, to throw himself into Syene with a few troops; being
then reduced to imminent danger by the contrivance of Hydaspes; he
secured the preservation of the place, and his own safety, by a method
which stamped him with the deepest perfidy. The two Persians sent to
Elephantine, under pretence of inquiring on what terms the troops there
were willing to submit, were really dispatched with a view of informing
him whether they were ready and disposed to resist and fight, if by any
means he could escape, and put himself at their head.
He now proceeded to put into practice his treacherous intent, for upon
his arrival at Elephantine, finding them in such a disposition as he
could wish, he led them out without delay, and proceeded with all
expedition against the enemy; relying chiefly for success on the hope
that by the rapidity of his movements he should surprise them while
unprepared. He was now in sight, attracting every eye by the Persian
pomp of his host; the whole plain glistening as he moved along, with
gold and silver armour. The rays of the rising sun falling directly
upon the advancing Persians, shed an indiscribable brightness to the
most distant parts, their own armour flashing back a rival brightness.
The right wing was composed of native Medes and Persians--the heavy
armed in front--behind them the archers, unincumbered with defensive
arms, that they might with more ease and readiness perform their
evolutions, protected by those who were before them. The Egyptians,
the Africans, and all the auxiliaries were in the left wing. To these
likewise were assigned a band of light troops, slingers and archers,
who were ordered to make sallies, and to discharge their weapons
from the flanks. Oroondates himself was in the centre, splendidly
accoutred and mounted on a scythed chariot.[6] He was surrounded on
either side by a body of troops, and in front were the barbed cavalry,
his confidence in whom had principally induced him to hazard an
engagement. These are the most warlike in the Persian service, and are
always first opposed, like a firm wall, to the enemy. The following is
the description of their armour--A man, picked out for strength and
stature, puts on a helmet which fits his head and face exactly, like
a mask; covered completely down to the neck with this, except a small
opening left for the eyes, in his right hand he brandishes a long
spear--his left remains at liberty to guide the reins--a scimitar is
suspended at his side; and not his breast alone, but his whole body
also, is sheathed in mail, which is composed of a number of square
separate plates of brass or steel, a span in length, fitting over each
other at each of the four sides, and hooked or sewn together beneath,
the upper lapping over the under; the side of each over that next to
it in order. Thus the whole body is inclosed in an imbricated scaly
tunic, which fits it closely, yet by contraction and expansion allows
ample play for all the limbs. It is sleeved, and reaches from neck to
knee,[7] the only part left unarmed being under the cuishes, necessity
for the seat on horseback so requiring. The greave extends from the
feet to the knee, and is connected with the coat. This defence is
sufficient to turn aside all darts, and to resist the stroke of any
weapon. The horse is as well protected as his rider; greaves cover
his legs, and a frontal[8] confines his head. From his back to his
belly, on either side, hangs a sheet of the mail, which I have been
describing, which guards his body, while its looseness does not impede
his motions.
Thus accoutred and as it were fitted[9] into his armour, this ponderous
soldier sits his horse, unable to mount himself on account of his
weight, but lifted on by another. When the time for charging arrives,
giving the reins, and setting spurs to his horse, he is carried
with all his force against the enemy, wearing the appearance of a
hammer-wrought statue, or of an iron man. His long and pointed spear
extends far before him, and is sustained by a rest at the horse's neck,
the butt being fixed in another at his croupe. Thus the spear does not
give way in the conflict, but assists the hand of the horseman, who has
merely to direct the weapon, which pressing onwards with mighty power
pierces every obstacle, sometimes transfixing and bearing off by its
impulse two men at once.
With such a force of cavalry and in such order, Oroondates marched
against the enemy, keeping the river still behind him, to prevent his
being surrounded by the Ethiopians, who far exceeded him in number.
Hydaspes, on the other hand, advanced to meet him. He opposed, to
the Medes and Persians in the right wing, his forces from Meröe, who
were well accoutred, and accustomed to close fighting. The swift and
light-armed Troglodites, who were good archers, and the inhabitants of
the cinnamon region,[10] he drew up to give employment to those posted
on the left. In opposition to the centre, boasting as they did of their
barbed cavalry, he placed himself, with the tower-bearing elephants,
the Blemmyæ, and the Seres, giving them instructions what they were to
do when they came to engage. Both armies now approached near, and gave
the signal for battle; the Persians with trumpets, the Ethiopians with
drums and gongs. Oroondates, cheering on his men, charged with his body
of horse. Hydaspes ordered his troops to advance very slowly, that they
might not leave their elephants, and that the enemy's cavalry, having
a longer course to take, might become exhausted before the conflict.
When the Blemmyæ saw them within reach of a spear's cast, the horsemen
urging on their horses for the charge, they proceeded to execute their
monarch's instructions.
Leaving the Seres to guard the elephants, they sprang out of the ranks,
and advanced swiftly towards the enemy. The Persians thought they had
lost their senses, seeing a few foot presume to oppose themselves to so
numerous and so formidable a body of horse. These latter galloped on
all the faster, glad to take advantage of their rashness, and confident
that they should sweep them away at the first onset. But the Blemmyæ,
when now the phalanx had almost reached them, and they were all but
touched by their spears, on a sudden, at a signal, threw themselves on
one knee, and thrust their heads and backs under the horses, running no
danger by this attempt, but that of being trampled on: this manœuvre
was quite unexpected, many of the horses they wounded in the belly
as they passed, so that they no longer obeyed the bridle, but became
furious, and threw their riders; whom, as they lay like logs, the
Blemmyæ pierced in the only vulnerable part, the Persian cuirassier
being incapable of moving without help.
Those whose horses were not wounded proceeded to charge the Seres, who
at their approach retired behind the elephants, as behind a wall or
bulwark. Here an almost total slaughter of the cavalry took place. For
the horses of the Persians, as soon as the sudden retreat of the Seres
had discovered these enormous beasts, astonished at their unusual and
formidable appearance, either turned short round and galloped off,
or fell back upon the rest, so that the whole body was thrown into
confusion. They who were stationed in the towers upon the elephants
(six in number, two on either side, except towards the beast's hind
quarters), discharged their arrows as from a bulwark, so continuously
and with such true aim, that they appeared to the Persians like a cloud.
Fighting upon unequal terms against mailed warriors, and depending
upon their skill in archery, so unfailing was their aim at the sight
holes[11] of the enemy, that you might see many galloping in confusion
through the throng, with arrows projecting from their eyes.
Some, carried away by the unruliness of their horses to the elephants,
were either trampled under foot or attacked by the Seres and the
Blemmyæ, who rushing out as from an ambush, wounded some, and pulled
others from their horses, in the melée. They who escaped unhurt
retreated in disorder, not having done the smallest injury to the
elephants: for these beasts are armed with mail when led out to battle,
and have, besides, a natural defence in a hard and rugged skin, which
will resist and turn the point of any spear.
Oroondates, when he saw the remainder routed, set the example of a
shameful flight; and descending from his chariot, and mounting a
Nysæan horse,[12] galloped from the field. The Egyptians and Africans
in the left wing were ignorant of this, and continued still bravely
fighting, receiving, however, more injury than they inflicted, which
they bore with great fortitude and perseverance; for the inhabitants of
the cinnamon region, who were opposed to them, pressed and confounded
them by the irregularity and activity of their attacks, flying as the
Egyptians advanced, and discharging their arrows[13] backward as they
fled. When the Africans retreated, they attacked them, galling them
on all the flanks, either with slings or little poisoned[14] arrows.
These they fixed around their turbans, the feathers next their heads,
the points radiating outwards; and drawing them thence as from a
quiver, they, after taking a sudden spring forward, shot them against
the enemy, their own bodies being naked, and their only clothing
this crown of arrows. These arrows require no iron point; they take
a serpent's back bone, about a foot and a half in length, and after
straightening it, sharpen the end into a natural point, which may
perhaps account for the origin of the word arrow.[15]
The Egyptians resisted a long time, defending themselves from the
darts by interlocking shields--being naturally patient, and bravely
prodigal of their lives, not merely for pay but glory; perhaps, too,
dreading the punishment of runaways. But when they heard that the
barbed cavalry, the strength and right hand[16] of their army, was
defeated--that the viceroy had left the field, and that the Medes and
Persians, the flower of their foot, having done little against, and
suffered much from, those to whom they were opposed, had followed his
example, they likewise, at last, gave up the contest, turned about,
and retreated. Hydaspes, from an elephant's back, as from a watch
tower, was spectator of his victory; which when he saw decided, he sent
messengers after the pursuers, to stop the slaughter, and to order them
to take as many prisoners as they could, and particularly, were it
possible, Oroondates.
Success crowned his wishes, for the Ethiopians extending their numerous
lines to a great length on each side, and curving the extremities till
they surrounded the Persians, left them no way to escape but to the
river. Thus the stratagem which Oroondates had devised against the
enemy they found turned against themselves, multitudes being forced
into the river by the horses and scythed chariots, and the confusion
of the crowd. The viceroy had never reflected, that by having the
river in his rear he was cutting off his own means of escape. He was
taken prisoner with Achæmenes the son of Cybele. This latter informed
of what had happened at Memphis, and dreading the resentment of
Oroondates, for having made an accusation against Arsace which he was
not able to prove, (the witnesses who would have enabled him to do so
being removed,) endeavoured to slay his master in the tumult. He did
not, however, give him a mortal wound, and the attempt was instantly
revenged, for he was transfixed with an arrow by an Ethiopian, who
watched, as he had been commanded, over the safety of the viceroy; and
who saw, with indignation, the treacherous attempt of one, who, having
escaped the enemy, took the opportunity presented by fortune, to wreak
his revenge against his commander.
Oroondates was brought before Hydaspes, faint and bleeding; but
his wound was soon staunched by the remedies applied, the king
being resolved, if possible, to save him, and himself giving him
encouragement.
"Friend," said he, "I grant your life. I hold it honourable to overcome
my enemies by my arms while they resist; and by my good offices when
they are fallen: but why have you shewn such perfidy towards me?"
"Towards you, I own," replied the Persian, "I have been perfidious; but
to my master I have been faithful."--"As vanquished, then," replied
Hydaspes, "what punishment, think you, that you deserve?"--"The
same," returned the other, "which my master would inflict upon one of
your captains who had fallen into his power, after having proved his
fidelity to you."--"If your master," replied the Ethiopian, "were truly
royal, and not a tyrant, he would praise and reward him; and excite the
emulation of his own people, by commending the good qualities of an
enemy: but it seems to me, good sir, that you praise your fidelity at
the expence of your prudence, after having adventured yourself against
so many myriads of my troops."--"Perhaps," replied Oroondates, "in
regard to myself, I have not been so imprudent as may at first appear.
I knew the disposition of my sovereign--to punish cowards, rather than
to reward the brave. I determined therefore to hazard every thing,
and trust to Fortune, who sometimes affords unexpected and improbable
successes in war. If I failed and escaped with life, I should at least
have it to say, that nothing in my power had been left untried."
Hydaspes, after listening to his words, praised him, sent him to Syene,
ordered his physicians to attend him, and all possible care to be taken
of him. He himself soon after made his public entry into the city, with
the flower of his army. The inhabitants of all ranks and ages went out
in procession to meet him, strewed crowns and flowers[17] of the Nile,
in his path, greeting him with songs of victory.
He entered the city on an elephant, as on a triumphal chariot, and
immediately turned his thoughts to holy matters and thanksgivings
to the gods. He made inquiries concerning everything worthy of his
curiosity, particularly about the origin of the feasts of the Nile.
They shewed him a tank which served as a nilometer, like that which
is at Memphis, lined with polished stone, and marked with degrees at
the interval of every cubit. The water flows into it under ground, and
the height to which it rises in the tank, shews the general excess, or
deficiency, of the inundation, according as the degrees are covered or
left bare. They shewed him dials, which, at a certain season of the
year, cast no shade at noon; for, at the summer solstice, the sun is
vertical at Syene, and darts its rays perpendicularly down, so that the
water,[18] at the bottom of the deepest wells, is light.
This, however, raised no great astonishment in Hydaspes; for the
same phenomenon happens at the Ethiopian Meröe. The people of Syene
loudly praised their festival and extolled the Nile, calling it Horus
(the year), the fertilizer of their plains--the preserver of Upper
Egypt--the father, and, in a manner, the creator of the Lower--as it
brings annually new soil into it, and is from thence, possibly, called
Nile,[19] by the Greeks.
It points out, they said, the annual vicissitudes of time--summer by
the increase, and autumn by the retiring of its waters--spring by
the flowers which grow on it, and by the breeding of the crocodiles.
The Nile then, is, they say, nothing else but the year, its very
appellation confirming this, since the numeral letters which compose
its name, amount to 365 units, the number of days which make up the
year.[20] They extolled also its peculiar plants and flowers, and
animals, and added a thousand other encomiums. "All these praises,"
said Hydaspes, "belong more to Ethiopia, than to Egypt. If you esteem
this river as the father of waters, and exalt it to the rank of a
deity, Ethiopia ought surely to be worshipped, which is the mother of
your god?"
"We do worship it," replied the priests, "both on many other accounts,
and because it has sent you to us, as a preserver and a god." After
recommending them to be less lavish in their praises, he retired to
a tent which had been prepared for him, and devoted the rest of the
day to ease and refreshment. He entertained, at his own table, his
principal officers, and the priests of Syene, and encouraged all ranks
to make merry. The inhabitants of Syene furnished herds of oxen, flocks
of sheep, goats and swine, together with store of wine, partly by way
of gift, partly for sale. The next day he mounted a lofty seat; and,
ordering the spoil to be brought out, which had been collected in the
city, and on the field of battle, distributed it amongst his army, in
such proportions as he thought their merit deserved. When the soldier
appeared who took Oroondates, "Ask what you please," said the king.--"I
have no occasion to ask anything," he replied. "If you will allow me
to keep what I have already taken from the Viceroy, I am sufficiently
rewarded for having made him prisoner, and preserved him alive,
according to your commands." And with this he shewed a sword belt, a
scimitar richly jewelled of great value, and worth many talents; so
that many cried out, it was a gift too precious for a private man, a
treasure worthy of a monarch's acceptance. Hydaspes smilingly replied--
"What can be more kingly than that my magnanimity should be superior
to this man's avarice? Besides, the captor has a right to the personal
spoils of his prisoner. Let him then, receive as a gift from me, what
he might easily have taken to himself, without my knowledge."
Presently those who had taken Theagenes and Chariclea appeared. "Our
spoil, Ο king!" said they, "is not gold and jewels, things of little
estimation among the Ethiopians, and which lie in heaps in the royal
treasures; but we bring you a youth and a maiden, a Grecian pair,
excelling all mortals in grace and beauty, except yourself, and we
expect from your liberality a proportionate reward."--"You recall them
seasonably to my memory," replied Hydaspes. "When I first saw them, in
the hurry and confusion in which I was engaged, I took but a cursory
view of them. Let some one bring them now before me, together with the
rest of the captives."
An officer was immediately despatched for them to the place of their
confinement, which was among the baggage, at some distance from the
town. They inquired, in their way to the city, of one of their guards,
whither they were being conducted. They were told that the king
Hydaspes desired to see the prisoners. On hearing the name, they cried
out together, with one voice--"Ο ye gods!" fearing till that hour lest
some other might be the reigning king; and Theagenes said softly to
Chariclea--"You will surely now discover to the king everything which
relates to us, since you have frequently told me that Hydaspes was your
father."
"Important matters," replied Chariclea, "require great preparation.
Where the deity has caused intricate beginnings, there must needs be
intricate unravellings. Besides, a tale like ours is not to be told in
a moment; nor do I think it advisable to enter upon it in the absence
of my mother Persina, upon whose support, and testimony, the foundation
of our story, and the whole of our credit, must depend; and she, thanks
to the gods I hear, is yet alive."
"What if we should be sacrificed," returned Theagenes; "or, presented
to some one as a gift, how shall we ever get into Ethiopia?"--"Nothing
is less likely," said Chariclea. "Our guards have told us that we are
to be reserved as victims, to be offered to the deities of Meröe.
There is no likelihood that we, who are solemnly devoted to the gods,
should be destroyed, or otherwise disposed of; such a vow no religious
mind would break. Were we to give way to the incautious joy with which
this sudden gleam of good fortune transports us, and discover our
condition, and relate our adventures, in the absence of those who
alone can acknowledge us, and confirm what we say, we run the greatest
risk of raising the indignation of the king; who would regard it as
a mockery and insult, that we, captives and slaves as we are, should
endeavour to pass ourselves off upon him, as his children."
"But the tokens," said Theagenes, "which I know you always carry
about you, will give credit to our relation, and shew that we are not
impostors."--"These things," replied Chariclea, "are real tokens to
those who know them, and who exposed them with me; but to those who
are ignorant of this, they are nothing but bracelets, and precious
stones; and may possibly induce a suspicion of our having stolen them.
Supposing even that Hydaspes should recollect any of these trinkets,
who shall persuade him that they were presented to me by Persina, and
still more, that they were the gifts of a mother to her daughter? The
most incontrovertible token, my dear Theagenes, is a mother's nature,
through which the parent at first sight feels affection towards her
offspring,--an affection stirred up by secret sympathy. Shall we
deprive ourselves, then, by our precipitation, of this most favourable
opening, upon which depends the credit of all we have to say?"
Discoursing in this manner, they arrived near the tribunal of the king.
Bagoas was led after them. When Hydaspes saw them, rising suddenly from
his throne--"May the gods be propitious to me!" he exclaimed, and sat
down again, lost in thought. They who were near him inquired the reason
of this sudden emotion. Recollecting himself, he said--"Methought that
I had a daughter born to me this day, who at once reached her prime,
and perfectly resembled this young maiden, whom I see before me. I
disregarded, and had almost forgotten my dream, when this remarkable
resemblance recalled it to my memory."
His officers replied--"That it was some fancy of the mind bodying forth
future events;" upon which the king, laying aside for the present any
farther thought upon the subject, proceeded to examine his prisoners.
He asked them--"Who, and from whence, they were?" Chariclea was silent.
Theagenes replied, "That they were Grecians, and that the maiden was
his sister."
"All honour to Greece," said Hydaspes--"the mother of brave and
beautiful mortals, for affording us such noble victims for the
celebration of our triumphal sacrifices." And turning to his
attendants, he said--"Why had I not a son as well as a daughter born
to me in my dream, since this youth, being the maiden's brother, ought
according to your observation, to have been shadowed forth to me in my
vision?"
He then directed his discourse to Chariclea, speaking in Greek;
a language known and studied by the Gymnosophists, and kings of
Ethiopia--"And you, Ο maiden," said he, "why do you make no answer to
my questions?"--"At the altars of the gods," replied she, "to whom
we are destined as victims, you shall know who I am, and who are my
parents."
"And what part of the world do they inhabit?" said the king.--"They
are present now," said she, "and will assuredly be present, when we
are sacrificed." Again Hydaspes smiled.--"This dream-born daughter of
mine," he observed, "is certainly herself dreaming, when she imagines
that her parents are to be brought from the middle of Greece into
Meröe. Let them be taken away and served with the usual care and
abundance, to fit them for the sacrifices. But who is this standing
near, and in person like an eunuch?"[21]--"He is an eunuch," replied
one of the bystanders; "his name is Bagoas; he was in great favour with
Oroondates."
"Let him too," said the king, "follow and be kept with the Grecian
pair; not as a future victim, but that he may attend upon, and watch
over the virgin victim, whom it is necessary to preserve in the utmost
purity for the sacrifice; and whose beauty is such, that her virtue,
unguarded, may be exposed to much danger and temptation. Eunuchs are
a jealous race; and fitly employed for debarring others from the
enjoyments of which they are themselves deprived." He then proceeded to
examine and decide the fate of the remaining prisoners, who appeared in
order; distributing among his followers those who were slaves before;
dismissing with liberty those who were free and noble: but he selected
ten young men, and as many virgins, in the bloom of youth and beauty,
whom he ordered to be preserved for the same purpose to which he had
destined Theagenes and Chariclea. And having answered every complaint
and application, at last he sent for Oroondates, who was brought in
lying on a litter.
"I," said he to him, "now that I have obtained the object of my going
to war, feel not the common passion of ambitious minds. I am not going
to make my good fortune the minister of covetousness; my victory
creates in me no wish to extend my empire. I am content with the limits
which nature seems to have placed between Egypt and Ethiopia--the
cataracts. Having recovered then what I think my right, I revere what
is just and equitable, and shall return peacefully to my own dominions.
Do you, if your life be spared, remain viceroy of the same province as
before: and write to your master, the Persian king, to this effect,
'Thy brother Hydaspes has conquered by might of hand; but restores
all through moderation of mind; he wishes to preserve thy friendship,
esteeming it the most valuable of all possessions: at the same time,
if desirous of renewing the contest, thou wilt not find him backward.'
As to the Syenæans I remit their tribute for ten years; and command
thee to do the same." Loud acclamations, both from the soldiers and
citizens, followed his last words.
Oroondates crossing his hands, and inclining his body, adored him; a
compliment not usual for a Persian to pay to any prince, except his
own.--"Ο ye who hear me," said he, "I do not think that I violate the
customs of my country, as to my own sovereign, in adoring the most just
of kings, who has restored to me my government; who instead of putting
me to death has granted me my life; who, able to act as a despotic
lord, permits me to remain a viceroy. Should I recover, I pledge myself
to promote a solid peace and lasting friendship between the Persians
and Ethiopians, and to procure for the Syenæans that remission of
tribute which has been enjoined; but should I not survive, may the gods
recompense Hydaspes, his family, and remotest descendants, for all the
benefits which he has conferred upon me!"
[Footnote 1: "πᾶν μοι φοβερὸν ὸ προσέρπον."--Æsch. P. V. 127.]
[Footnote 2: See note to vol. i., p. 265, of Blakesley's Herodotus.]
[Footnote 3: The brother and murderer of Osiris, whose death was
avenged by his son Horus.]
[Footnote 4: Literally--"more clearly initiating them with the fiery
torch of realities."--Tῇ πυρφόρῳ τῶν ὂντων λαμπάδι φaνότερoν τελoύντων.]
[Footnote 5: Δεκαδάρχος.]
[Footnote 6: The following passage in Ammianus Marcellinus illustrates
the account here given of the Καταφράκτοι ἳπποι--or barbed cavalry of
the Persians.
"Erant autem omnes catervæ ferratæ, ita per singula membra densis
laminis tectæ, ut juncturæ rigentes compagibus artuum convenirent:
humanorumque vultuum sumulacra ita capitibus diligenter aptata, ut
imbracteatis corporibus solidis, ibi tantum incidentia tela possint
hærere, quà per cavernas minutas et orbibus oculorum affixas, parcius
visitur, vel per supremitates narium angusti spiritus emittuntur.
Quorum pars contis dimicatura, stabat immobilis, ut retinaculis æreis
fixam existimares."--Book xxv.
Thus, by an anticipation of 600 years, we have brought before us a
picture of the times, when,
"_Their limbs all iron_, and their souls all flame,
A countless host, the red-cross warriors came."
]
[Footnote 7: Herod. B. vii. 61. thus speaks of these
tunics:--"Κιθῶινας-Ιωτοΰς χειριδoτoὺς ποικίλους λεπίδος σιδηρέης όψιν
ἰχθυoειδέος."]
[Footnote 8: τὴν κεφαλὴν δι' ὃλου σφηκοῦντες--literally pinching in
like a wasp; the frontal fitting closely to the shape of the horse's
head and face.]
[Footnote 9: oἷον ἐμβεβλημένος.]
[Footnote 10: See Herod. B. iii. 111.]
[Footnote 11: See the previous description of the Persian amour.]
[Footnote 12: See note in Blakesley's Herod. vii. 40.]
[Footnote 13: Like the Parthians--
"... versis animosum equis
Parthum."--Hor. I Od. xix 10.
]
[Footnote 14: Arrows somewhat resembling these are used by the wild
Bushmen of Africa for destroying the ostrich and other kinds of
game. "These insignificant looking arrows are about two feet six
inches in length; they consist of a slender reed, with a sharp bone
head, thoroughly poisoned with a composition of which the principal
ingredients are obtained, sometimes from a succulent herb, having thick
leaves, yielding a poisonous milky juice, and sometimes from the jaws
of snakes."--Wood's Nat. Hist.]
[Footnote 15: Όστέον, a bone; Όΐστός, an arrow.]
[Footnote 16: χεῖρα.]·
[Footnote 17: Ανθεσιν Νειλώοις.--The water lily of the Nile.]
[Footnote 18: "At Syene there was, in later times a well, the bottom of
which, the sun was believed to illuminate at one time of the year, it
being supposed that Syene was under the Tropic."--Blackesley's Herod.,
vol. 1. p. 187.]
[Footnote 19: Nἕιλος, from νέη ἰλύς, new soil.]
[Footnote 20: ν = 50; ε = 5; ι: = 10; λ = 30; o = 70; σ = 200; total,
365.]
[Footnote 21:
... "vetus, vietus, veternosus, senex
Colore mustellino."--Terence.
]