3. Nothing was more shocking to Greek sentiment than the Persian custom of abasing oneself before those greatly one’s social superior (cf. Herodotus I.134), for with Greeks such conduct was reserved for the worship of the gods. When Alexander the Great tried to institute a uniform court procedure which required this so-called proskynesis of Macedonians and Greeks, the Macedonians found it absurd but the Greeks took it as a demand for divine honours (cp. Arrian, Anabasis IV.9f.). However, despite notable expressions of scruple, Greeks were not impeded by the custom from prospering within the Persian empire and even at the Persian court. Xenophon was used to the custom and found it merely interesting (cf. I.8.21, p. 89.)
4. Stirrups were unknown in antiquity. Hence the greatly limited usefulness of cavalry in battle.
5. For the Panhellenist theory behind this passage, see Introduction p. 23f-
6. The Lydian market (I.3.14) had disappeared with Ariaeus, but there were numerous camp followers, who had to be protected on the march and provided for at tense moments (cf. IV.3.15 at the Centrites crossing). They were partly prisoners of war taken to be sold as slaves (IV.1.12) but principally women in large numbers (IV.3.19, VI.1.13) and men, both slave and free, to look after the beasts of burden and to act as personal servants (I.10.3, VI.4.8). One may compare the army of Mnasippus on Corcyra in 372 (H.G. VI.2.23). A similar throng accompanied the army of Alexander the Great.