Page:History of Greece Vol IX.djvu/202

180 HISTORY OF GREECE. ization, nothing prevented the success of the Greeks along with Cyrus, except his own paroxysm of fraternal antipathy. 1 And we shall perceive hereafter the military and political leaders of Greece, Agesilaus, Jason of Pherae, 2 and others down to Philip and Alexander, 3 firmly persuaded that with a tolerably nume- rous and well-appointed Grecian force, combined with exemption from Grecian enemies, they could succeed in overthrowing or dis- membering the Persian empire. This conviction, so important in the subsequent history of Greece, takes its date from the retreat of the Ten Thousand. We shall indeed find Persia exercising an important influence, for two generations to come, and at the peace of Antalkidas an influence stronger than ever, over the destinies of Greece. But this will be seen to arise from the treason of Sparta, the chief of the Hellenic world, who abandons the Asiatic Greeks, and even arms herself with the name and the force of Persia, for purposes of aggrandizement and dominion to herself. Persia is strong by being enabled to employ Hellenic strength against the Hellenic cause ; by lending money 05 a fleet to one side of the Grecian intestine parties, and thus becoming artificially strengthened against both. But the Xenophontic An- abasis betrays her real weakness against any vigorous attack; while it at the same tune exemplifies the discipline, the endurance, the power of self-action and adaptation, the susceptibility of influence from speech and discussion, the combination of the reflecting obe- dience of citizens with the mechanical regularity of soldiers, which confer such immortal distinction on the Hellenic character. The importance of this expedition and retreat, as an illustration of the Hellenic qualities and excellence, will justify the large space which has been devoted to it in this History. The last chapter of the Cyropaedia of Xenophon (viii, 20, 21-26) expres- ses strenuously the like conviction, of the military feebleness and disorgan- ization of the Persian empire, not defensible without Grecian aid. 1 Isokrates, Oral, v, (Philipp.) s. 104-106. fj6r) S 1 lyicpaTeif doKovrraf elvat (i. e. the Greeks under Klearchas) dia TTJV Kvpov trpoirer eiav urv^ffai, etc. Isokrates, Orat. v, (Philipp.) s. 141 ; Xen. Hellen. vi, 1, 12. 1 See the stress laid by Alexander the Great upon the adventures of the Ten Thousand, in his speech to encourage his soldiers before the battle at Issus (Arrian, E. A. ii, 7, 8).