Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

48 FORCES AT THYMBRA.for the succeeding year his bonds with his allies, and procurematerial assistance.But Cyrus, full of the ardor which brooks not delay, andacting on that oldest and soundest of military principles, todo that which your enemy least expects, gave his adversaryno breathing spell. Winter was at hand. Croesus, anticipatingno further present activity on the part of Cyrus, hadunwisely allowed his army to disperse on reaching Sardis.Taking advantage of this error, Cyrus, by forced and difficultmarches, came upon him unawares at Thymbra, on the plainsnot far from Sardis, and utterly defeated him. This is perhapsthe first instance on record of those strategic surpriseswith which the history of great captains is filled, and of whichthe camj^aign of Ulm is so notable an example. The capital,Sardis, was besieged fourteen days, and then taken by storm.Lydia was subjected. But, with that jDolitic generosity whichgreat soldiers have so often known how to employ, — unusualin those days, — Cyrus made Croesus his friend and adviser,and profited much by the latter's knowledge and influence.One of the earliest instances of excellent battle tactics hasbeen described by Xenophon. It was at this same battle ofThymbra in which Cyrus destroyed the Lydian kingdom.Croesus is reputed to have had four hundred and twentythousand men and three hundred chariots ; Cyrus, one hundredand ninety-six thousand men, three hundred chariots,and three hundred war camels. Xenophon states that Cyrushad shown great skill in organizing and in victualing his army.The rival forces met on the plain of Thymbra, not far fromSardis. It has been suggested that Xeno23hon improved inhis description upon the actual manoeuvres. But if the relationis not a true account of what Cyrus actually did, itdescribes what Xenophon actually knew how to do, and isequally interesting from this standpoint.