Book 5
2.30
Why, pray, said the other, is that so difficult?Because, by Zeus, said Gobryas, I know thatThe Assyrians’ terror of Cyrus is disappearing the forces that would come out of that city alone are many times as large as your own at present; and let me tell you that the Assyrians are now less inclined than heretofore to deliver up their arms and to bring in their horses to you for the very reason that to those of them who have seen your army it seemed a small one; and a rumour to this effect has now been widely spread abroad. And, he added, I think we should do better to proceed cautiously.
2.31
I think you are right, Gobryas, in admonishing us to march with the utmost caution, Cyrus made answer upon hearing this suggestion from him. But when I think of it, I cannot conceive of anyCyrus proposes to march straight for Babylon safer procedure for us than to march directly upon Babylon, if that is where the main body of the enemy’s forces is. For they are, as you say, numerous; and if they take courage, they will also, as I say, give us cause to fear them.
