Xenophon's Anabasis (Cambridge, Trinity College, MS R.9.29)

the wagons. Then one could truly witness a part of their discipline. Throwing down their purple cloaks, wherever each happened to be standing, they ran—just as one would run for victory—down a steep hill, even wearing those expensive tunics and varied trousers. Some even had necklaces around their necks and bracelets on their arms. Immediately, they leaped into the mud with these on, and moved the wagons out faster than one would have thought possible. On the whole, it was clear that Cyrus was pressing on through the entire march and not delaying, except where he stopped for the sake of provisions or some other necessity. He believed that the faster he arrived, the more he would fight against an unprepared king, and the slower he moved, the more the king's army would gather. It was evident to anyone paying attention that the king’s empire was strong in its wealth of land and men, but weak in the length of its roads and the dispersal of its forces, if one were to wage war quickly. Beyond the Euphrates, near the desert stages, was a wealthy and large city named Charmande. From there, the soldiers bought provisions, crossing to it on rafts in the following manner: they filled the skins which they used as covers with light hay, then brought them together and stitched them shut so the water would not touch the hay. On these they crossed and obtained provisions, such as wine made from the date of the palm tree, and millet grain, for this was most abundant in the land. When a dispute arose there between the soldiers of Menon and those of Clearchus, Clearchus judged the soldier of Menon to be at fault and struck him. The man went to his own army and told them. Upon hearing this, the soldiers were angry and enraged at Clearchus. On that same day, Clearchus went to the river crossing and, after inspecting the market, rode back to his own tent through the camp of Menon