who were Cyrus’s most faithful friends; but the interpreter of the Hellenes said he saw and recognised the brother of Tissaphernes also with them.  They had at their back other Persians also, armed with cuirasses, as many as three hundred.  As soon as they were within a short distance, they bade any general or captain of the Hellenes who might be there to approach and hear a message from the king.  After this, two Hellene generals went out with all precaution.  These were Cleanor the Orchomenian[3], and Sophaenetus the Stymphalion, attended by Xenophon the Athenian, who went to learn news of Proxenus.  Cheirisophus was at the time away in a village with a party gathering provisions.  As soon as they had halted within earshot, Ariaeus said:  “Hellenes, Clearchus being shown to have committed perjury and to have broken the truce, has suffered the penalty, and he is dead; but Proxenus and Menon, in return for having given information of his treachery, are in high esteem and honour.  As to yourselves, the king demands your arms.  He claims them as his, since they belonged to Cyrus, who was his slave.”  To this the Hellenes made answer by the mouth of Cleanor of Orchomenus, their spokesman, who said, addressing Ariaeus:  “Thou villain, Ariaeus, and you the rest of you, who were Cyrus’s friends, have you no shame before God or man, first to swear to us that you have the same friends and the same enemies as we ourselves, and then to turn and betray us, making common cause with Tissaphernes, that most impious and villainous of men?  With him you have murdered the very men to whom you gave your solemn word and oath, and to the rest of us turned traitors; and, having so done, 39 you join hand with our enemies to come against us.”  Ariaeus answered:  “There is no doubt but that Clearchus has been known for some time to harbour designs against Tissaphernes and Orontas, and all of us who side with them.”  Taking up this assertion, Xenophon said:  “Well, then, granting that Clearchus broke the truce contrary to our oaths, he has his deserts, for perjurers deserve to perish; but where are Proxenus and Menon, our generals and your good friends and benefactors, as you admit?  Send them back to us.  Surely, just because they are friends of both parites, they will try to give us the best advice for you and for us.”

At this, the Asiatics stood discussing with one another for a long while, and then they went away without vouchsafing a word.

VI

The generals who were thus seized were taken up to the king and there 1 decapitated.  The first of these, Clearchus, was a thorough soldier, and a true lover of fighting.  This is the testimony of all who knew him intimately.  As long as the war between the Lacedaemonians and Athenians lasted, he could find occupation at home; but after the peace, he persuaded his own city that the Thracians were injuring the Hellenes, and having secured his object, set sail,