So, apparantly, Xenophon was set for battle against the Persians (who greatly outnumbered them), and the day before battle he was speaking with the Captain of the army about where they should fight—where would give them the greatest tactical advantage, etc. Xenophon said that they must take their stand on the very edge of the cliff. That is, the Greeks would have their backs to the cliff's drop-off, and fight forwards. The Captain objected: "But then there is no way for a retreat if we begin to lose!", "Exactly" replied Xenophon, who foresaw that if his fellow soldiers had no other option than to fight to the death, then it would charge them all the more to make sure it was their enemies' death and not their own. Furthermore, the Persians would see this situation, and the steeled resolve of the Greeks would no doubt be a source of intimidation. "Embrace the Cliff." was Xenophon's conclusion.
I think they won the fight.
Man does this story stir my courage! and the RadioLab producers didn't overlook its potency. Indeed, it introduced the episode's topic:
Commitment. Arranging it so that you cannot compromise.
mmmMMMmm!
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