The Persians had initially prepared to defend against the mercenary army's assault. However, they soon noticed that the mercenaries were running toward a nearby mountain peak instead. Alarmed, they realized their mistake and quickly regrouped, marching swiftly toward the same peak.
At this moment, Tissaphernes' main force was nearing the mountain pass. The mercenaries had formed a battle line near the pass, with their baggage train and wounded stationed in the rear. The Persian-held mountain ridge was already very close. If the Persians unleashed a full barrage of arrows from the ridge, they could barely reach the edge of the mercenary formation. However, both the Persians and Xenophon's troops were now racing toward the summit from opposite sides.