The Education of Cyrus by Xenophon

Author:Xenophon [Xenophon]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9780801471407
Publisher: CornellUP
Published: 2014-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 3

(1) Marching in this way, they reached the boundaries of Gobryas’ land on the fourth day. When he entered enemy territory, [Cyrus] stopped and brought into his own order the infantry and as many of the cavalry as he thought fine. He sent out the rest of the cavalry to make raids. He bade them kill all those in arms but bring to himself whatever other people and cattle they might capture. He bade also the Persians to join in the raids, and while many of them returned after having been thrown from their horses, many also brought back a great deal of booty. (2) When the booty was present, he summoned both the Peers and the rulers of the Medes and Hyrcanians, and he spoke as follows: “Men, friends, Gobryas has regaled us all with many good things. If, then, after selecting out what is customary for the gods and what is sufficient for the army, we should give the rest of the booty to him, would we not do something noble? Then it would be immediately evident that we try to be victorious also in doing good to those who do good.”

(3) When they heard this, all praised the proposal, all applauded it. One also spoke as follows: “Let us certainly do this, Cyrus, for it seems to me that Gobryas believes us to be beggars because we were not loaded with Darics when we came, and we do not drink from golden cups. If we do what you say, he would know that it is possible to be free even without gold.”19

(4) “Come then,” he said, “give to the Magi what belongs to the gods, select as much as is sufficient for the army, and summon Gobryas and give him the rest.” So after taking what was needed, they gave the rest to Gobryas.

(5) After this he went to Babylon, keeping the same order as when the battle was fought. When the Assyrians did not come out in opposition, Cyrus bade Gobryas to ride up and say that if the king wished to come out and fight for his country, even he himself would fight on his side, but that if he did not defend his country, necessity required obedience to its masters. (6) So Gobryas rode up where it was safe and said this, and the other sent out to him one who answered as follows: “Gobryas, your master says, ‘I do not regret that I killed your son, only that I did not kill you as well. But if you wish to do battle, come back in a month.20 We do not have the leisurenow, for we are still preparing.’”

(7) Gobryas said, “May you never stop having this regret! For it is clear that I have been causing you some pain since the time this regret took hold of you.”

(8) So Gobryas reported the remarks of the Assyrian, and on hearing them Cyrus had the army draw back. He summoned Gobryas and asked, “Tell

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