that the wall was named from Medea, the wife of the last king of
the Medes, whom the Persians conquered and despoiled of his dominions.
"Those who defend the reading [Greek: Medias]," continues Kuehner,
"suppose the name to be derived from the country of Media, and believe,
with Mannert, (Geog. i. p. 330,) that it is the same wall which
Semiramis built to defend her kingdom on the side of Media; but this
opinion rests on very weak arguments." Ainsworth, p. 180, thinks that it
extended from the Tigris to the Euphrates, and that the site of it is
indicated by the ruins now called _Sidd Nimrud_, or "the Wall of
Nimrod."]

[Footnote 57: "These canals however flowed, not from the Tigris into the
Euphrates, but from the Euphrates into the Tigris, as is shown not only
by Herodotus, Diodorus, Arrian, Pliny, Ammianus, but by later writers."
_Kuehner_. But "the difference in the level of the rivers is so slight
that ---- it is probable that by merely altering the diagonal direction
of a canal, the waters could be made to flow either way; certainly so at
certain seasons." _Ainsworth_, p. 89.]

[Footnote 58: See note on i. 1. 9.]

CHAPTER VIII.

The enemy are seen advancing in order of battle, and the army of
Cyrus hastily prepare for action. The Greeks, in the right wing,
put to flight the troops opposed to them, and pursue them some
distance. Cyrus, in the centre, directs his attack against the
king, and is killed.

1. It was now about the time of full market,[59] and the station, where
he intended to halt, was not far off, when Pategyas, a Persian, one of
Cyrus's confidential adherents, made his appearance, riding at his
utmost speed, with his horse in a sweat, and straightway called out to
all whom he met, both in Persian and Greek, "that the king was
approaching with a vast army, prepared as for battle." 2. Immediately
great confusion ensued; for the Greeks and all the rest imagined that he
would fall upon them suddenly, before they could form their ranks; 3.
and Cyrus, leaping from his chariot, put on his breastplate, and,
mounting his horse, took his javelin in his hand, and gave orders for
all the rest to arm themselves, and to take their stations each in his
own place. 4. They accordingly formed with all expedition; Clearchus
occupying the extremity of the right wing close to the Euphrates,
Proxenus being next to him, and after him the other captains in
succession. Menon and his troop