e divisions could be provided for as
speedily as one. [6] And, just as the serving-men had their appointed
places, so the different regiments had their own stations, adapted to
their special style of fighting, and each detachment knew their quarters
and went to them without hesitation. [7] Even in a private house,
orderliness, Cyrus knew, was a most excellent thing: every one, if he
needed anything, would then know where to get it; but he held it still
more desirable for the arrangement of an army, seeing that the moment
for action passes far more quickly in war and the evil from being too
late is far more grave. Therefore he gave more thought and care to order
and arrangement than to anything else.

[8] His own position, to begin with, must be at the centre of the
camp, as this was the safest place, and next to him must come his most
faithful followers, as their habit was. Beyond these, in a ring, lay the
cavalry and the charioteers. [9] For Cyrus held to it that these troops
also needed a safe position: their equipment could not be kept at
hand for them, and if they were to be of any use at all they needed
considerable time for arming. [10] The targeteers were placed to
left and right of the cavalry, and the bowmen in front and rear. [11]
Finally, the heavy-armed troops and those who carried the huge shields
surrounded the whole encampment like a wall; so that in case of need, if
the cavalry had to mount, the steadiest troops would stand firm in front
and let them arm in safety. [12] He insisted that the targeteers and
archers should, like the soldiers of the line, sleep at their posts, in
case of alarm at night, and be ready at any moment, while the infantry
dealt with the assailant at close quarters, to hurl darts and javelins
at them over the others' heads. [13] Moreover, all the generals had
standards on their tents; and just as an intelligent serving-man in a
city will know most of the houses, at any rate of the most important
people, so the squires of Cyrus knew the ways of the camp and the
quarters of the generals and the standards of each. Thus, if Cyrus
needed any one they had not to search and seek, but could run by
the shortest road and summon him at once. [14] Owing to this clear
arrangement, it was easy to see where good discipline was kept and where
duty was neglected. With these dispositions Cyrus felt that if an attack
should be made, by night or day, the enemy would find not so much a
camp as an ambus