cade. [15] Nor was it enough, he considered, for a real
master of tactics to know how to extend his front without confusion, or
deepen his ranks, or get from column into line, or wheel round quickly
when the enemy appeared on the right or the left or in the rear: the
true tactician must also be able to break up his troops into small
bodies, whenever necessary, and place each division exactly where it
would be of the greatest use; he must know how to quicken speed when
it was essential to forestall the enemy; these and a hundred other
operations are part of his science, and Cyrus studied them all with
equal care. [16] On the march he varied the order constantly to suit the
needs of the moment, but for the camp, as a rule, he adopted the plan we
have described.

[17] And now when the march had brought them into Media, Cyrus turned
aside to visit Cyaxares. After they had met and embraced, Cyrus began by
telling Cyaxares that a palace in Babylon, and an estate, had been set
aside for him so that he might have a residence of his own whenever he
came there, and he offered him other gifts, most rich and beautiful.
[18] And Cyaxares was glad to take them from his nephew, and then
he sent for his daughter, and she came, carrying a golden crown, and
bracelets, and a necklace of wrought gold, and a most beautiful Median
robe, as splendid as could be. [19] The maiden placed the crown upon the
head of Cyrus, and as she did so Cyaxares said:

"I will give her to you, Cyrus, my own daughter, to be your wife. Your
father wedded the daughter of my father, and you are their son; and this
is the little maid whom you carried in your arms when you were with us
as a lad, and whenever she was asked whom she meant to marry, she would
always answer 'Cyrus.' And for her dowry I will give her the whole of
Media: since I have no lawful son."

[20] So he spoke, and Cyrus answered:

"Cyaxares, I can but thank you myself for all you offer me, the kinship
and the maiden and the gifts, but I must lay the matter before my father
and my mother before I accept, and then we will thank you together."

That was what Cyrus said, but none the less he gave the maiden the gifts
he thought would please her father. And when he had done so, he marched
on home to Persia.

[21] And when he reached the borders of his fatherland, he left the mass
of his troops on the frontier, and went forward alone with his friends
to the city, leading victims enough for all the